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Number 3S 


SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, $13.00 PER YEAR 


June 14, 1897 


Cassell’s Union Square library, Issued Semi-monthly / 

AN AMERICAN CAVALIER 


BY 

WILLIAM C. HUDSON 

(Barclay North) 

Author of The Diamond Button: Whose Was Itf" '*Jack Gordon, 
Knight-Eii'ant, Gotham, 1883 ,” “ Yivier, of Vivier, Longman & 
Co.,” '‘'The Man with a Thumb,” “ On the Rack,” 

“ The Dugdale Millions,” “ Should She 
Have Left Him ? ” etc., etc. 



Entered at the Post Oflice, New York, N. Y., as Second Class Matter, March 11, 1395 


CASSELL’S UNION SOUABE LIBRARY. 

A series of choice copyright novels by popular American and 
foreign authors, in large i2mo volumes, well printed on good paper, 
and strongly bound. 

Price Per Volume, Paper, 50 Cents. 

Extra Cloth, Gold and Ink Dies, etc., 31 *00. 

NOW READY: 

No. I. The Emigrant Ship. By W. Clark Russell. 

2. Is She Not a Woman ; or, Vengeance is Mine. By 

Daniel Dane. 

3. The Last Tenant. By B. L. Farjeon. 

4. The Scallywag. By Grant Allen. 

5. Witness to the Deed. By George Manville Fenn. 

6. Utterly Mistaken. By Annie Thomas. 

7„ Should She Have Left Him ? By William C. Hudson 
(Barclay North). 

8. Story of a Modern Woman, The. By Ella Hepworth 

Dixon. 

9. A Pastoral Played Out. By Mary L. Pendered. 

10. A Cruel Dilemma. By Mary H. Tennyson. 

11. Old Maids and Young. By Elsa D’Esterre-Keeling. 

12. Romance of a Transport. By W. Clark Russell. 

13. A Daughter of the South. By Mrs. Burton Harrison. 

14. Mr. Wayt’s Wife’s Sister. By Marion Harland (Mrs. 

Mary Virginia Terhune). 

15. Broken Links. A Love Story. By Mrs. Alexander. 

16. A Fair Jewess. By B. L. Farjeon. 

17. St. Ann’s. By W. E. Norris. 

18. The Tiger Lily. A Story of a Woman. By George 

Manville Fenn. 

TQ. Parson Thring’s Secret. By A. W. Marchmont, B. A. 
20. The Third Volume. By Fergus Hume. 

2i„ Sons of Belial. By William Westall. 

?.2, At Heart a Rake. By Florence Marryat. 

Other Volumes in Press. 

THE CASSELL PUBLISHING CO., 

3)! East J7th St. (Union Square), 

115 


NEW YORK, 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER 


A NOVEL 


BY ^ - 

WILLIAM C. HUDSON 

AUTHOR OF “THE DIAMOND BUTTON,” “JACK GORDON,” “VIVIER,’ 
“THE MAN WITH A THUMB,” “ON THE RACK,” “THE 
DUGDALE MILLIONS,” “SHOULD SHE 
HAVE LEFT HIM?” ETC. 


■sV' 




NEW YORK 

THE CASSELL PUBLISHING CO. 

31 East 17TH St. (Union Square) 


Copyright, 1897, by 

THE CASSELL PUBLISHING CO, 


A li rights rtservtd. 



THS MBRSHON COMPANY PSttS) 
RAHWAY, N. J. 


CONTENTS 


BOOK I. 

The Problem. 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. “Schemes o’ Mice and Men,” . . . . i 

II. Prince Kroupieve 12 

III. An Humble Ambassador, 28 

IV. Edgemere, 41 

V. • The Fatted Calf, ' 59 

VI. Rodion’s Surprising News, 71 

VII. The Offer of Russia, 77 

VIII. Mr. Harlowe and his Discovery, ... 88 

IX. Countess Mura Naletoff, 103 

X. Dale’s Astounding News, . . . . 118 

Between Books. 

BOOK II. 


The Demonstration. 


I. Foreign Methods, 137 

II. Lines of Battle, i^9 

III. Dale’s Discovery, i6i 

IV. Domestic Anxieties, 171 

V. A Random Shot, 182 

VI. A Surprising Change, 194 

VII. Verbal Fence, 209 

VIII. A Memorable Day, 219 

iii 


IV 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER 

IX. 

Mr. Harlowe’s Sacrifice, 

PAGE 

• 235 

X. 

An Awful Blunder, . 

. . . 246 


Between Books. 



BOOK III. 



The Solution. 


I. 

Gray Days, .... 

. 257 

II. 

Consequences, .... 


III. 

Mr. Harlowe’s Diplomacy, . 

. 275 

IV. 

A Renewal of Hostilities, 

288 

V. 

A Bomb Explodes, 

. . . . 298 

VI. 

The Die is Cast, 

307 

VII. 

In Suspense, .... 


VIII. 

An Ambassadorial Ball, . 

327 

IX. 

Doubts, Fears, and Plots, . 

QO 

X. 

Momentous Events, . 

349 

XI. 

The Last Resource, 

. . . . 361 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


BOOK I. 
THE PROBLEM. 


CHAPTER I. 

“ SCHEMES o’ MICE AND MEN.” 

It was a motley throng, in which the foreign 
element predominated. 

Moreover it was an impatient throng, for La 
Tourainey for which it waited on this bright morn- 
ing in the early summer of 1893, was slow in warp- 
ing into her berth. 

The huge steamer, after the unrestrained 
freedom of her dash across the great water waste, 
in her voyage from Havre, seemed to be resisting 
efforts to put restrictions on her liberty, like a met- 
tlesome horse, quivering with the joy and excite- 
ment of a swift gallop over the turf, refusing to be 
stabled. 


2 


AM AMERICAM CA VALIER. 


This throng was uncomfortable as well as 
motley; the overspreading roof and the sides, ex- 
cept where they were pierced with openings, made 
the wharf dark and drear, for the sun, however 
bright outside, did not penetrate to relieve the 
dampness which wilted collars and made light 
clothes heavy. Moreover it was given little rest, 
for, from time to time, the ’longshoremen and the 
wharfingers elbowed it from place to place, what 
time the drivers of heavy trucks, passing and re- 
passing, jealous of their rights of way, did not 
compel it to seek safety between piled-up boxes 
and barrels by loud shouts and many oaths. 

Close to that opening in which, inquiry had 
informed them, the broad gangway for the 
descent of passengers from the steamer slowly 
approaching would be placed, stood two foreign- 
ers, who rarely spoke to each other, but who were 
stealthily observant of all things occurring about 
them, and who carefully scrutinized all faces their 
eyes could reach. 

The few words they did exchange discovered 
that they were Russians. An ethnologist might 
have read their nationality in their faces, prob- 
ably would have done so readily; but the 
ordinary person, judging them, as is the wont, 
rather by their clothes than by their features, 
would have said they were Frenchmen, since Paris 
had put its stamp on their garments, and especially 


SCHEMES 0‘ MICE AND MEN^ 3 

as they were waiting the incoming of a French 
steamer. 

A short distance away, concealed by a mound 
of barrels, one of which at the end of a row he had 
rolled over so as to make a space through which 
he could peer unobserved, stood a man of middle 
age, unmistakably an Italian. Well dressed, he 
was evidently of a grade superior to those of his 
countrymen who, in recent years, have supplanted 
the Irish laborers as the navvies ” of the nation, 
yet something about him suggested to ex- 
perienced eyes the trusted domestic of higher 
position in families of circumstance. He wore 
plain gold rings in his ears. Except when he 
turned with eager, all-expectant air to look behind 
him, which was frequently, his eyes were upon the 
two Russians, who were evidently unaware of his 
presence. 

The weary watching and waiting were relieved, 
at least so far as our Italian was concerned, by the 
approach of two of his countrymen — great hulk- 
ing fellows, beetle-browed, who, with their natu- 
ralization, had taken on the swagger and hitching 
shoulders of the Bowery — formidable looking fel- 
lows, whom one would have preferred to meet on 
the pavements of Broadway with a policeman in 
sight, rather than in a dark alley under the cover 
of the night. 

But our watchful Italian greeted them with 


4 


A/\r AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


manifest relief and satisfaction. He exchanged a 
few rapid words with them, gave them some 
money in little packages, at which he did not look 
— denoting that the payment was in consequence 
of prearrangement — and drawing them close to 
the opening in the mound of barrels he had made, 
pointed out the two Russians he had been watch- 
ing. Then he gave them some instructions, to 
which they were keenly attentive, and to their 
comprehension of which they testified by short, 
quick nods of the head. This done, he motioned 
them away vigorously. 

Withdrawing, and separating immediately, the 
two men took up stations where they could 
closely observe the Russians while they appeared 
to be only idlers. In the meantime, the attention 
of the watchkil Italian was attracted by an alter- 
cation between a policeman on duty at the pier 
and the driver of a hack, who was endeavoring to 
turn his horses’ heads to the street. Quickly glid- 
ing to the side of the officer, the Italian slipped a 
bill into the hand of that functionary, saying in 
tolerable English: 

“ That is my carriage, and I would crave the 
favor that it should stand here.” 

The officer, with a presence of mind born of 
long experience, and frequent practice perhaps, 
without abating in the slightest his tone of 
authority, as his fingers closed on the bill, con- 


** SCHEMES O' MICE AND MEN." 5 

tinued to direct the movements of the driver, with 
this difference only, that, while heretofore his 
orders had been to the end of sending the hack 
up the pier, they were now such as finally placed 
the vehicle in a more eligible spot than the driver 
had been striving to attain. Having accommo- 
dated this matter, which he seemed to regard as 
important, the Italian turned to go back to his 
point of observation, but was immediately made 
aware that the altercation had served to attract 
the attention of the Russians, for one was clearly, 
if stealthily, pointing out the Italian to his com- 
panion. So our friend with the rings in his ears 
made no further effort to escape the observation 
of the Russians. 

By this time the great ship was nearly in place. 
The two Russians separated; one taking his stand 
on the stringpiece on one side of the opening and 
the other on the opposite side, from which points 
they could not fail to see the faces of all the pas- 
sengers descending from the ship. 

The Italian stood immediately in front of the 
opening, heedless of the orders of the officer to 
clear a space for the gangway. As soon as it was 
placed in position he sprang forward, displaying a 
card to the officer stationed at the foot, nodding, 
and smiling, and in a moment was on the deck, 
where he again displayed his card to an officer of 
the ship. That officer, glancing at it carelessly, 


6 


AN AMERICAN CA VALIER, 


nodded, and the Italian pushed his way among the 
passengers who were crowding about. 

These movements were not lost upon the Rus- 
sians, who signaled to each other. 

Beyond the circle of passengers crowding about 
the gangway and near the door opening upon the 
companion way, stood a lady, looking anxiously 
toward the wharf — a lady upon whose face were 
not only anxiety, but perplexity and apprehension 
— a lady whose distinction was proclaimed in her 
carriage; whose high claims to blond beauty 
were not to be denied nor gauged by classical 
standards, and whose tall form, slight and willowy 
to elegance, was yet commanding. 

Perceiving the lady from a distance the Italian 
hastened to her, and, bowing low, announced his 
presence by a single word: 

“ Madame! ’’ 

The lady turned quickly. If her face was beau- 
tiful when clouded by perplexity and appre- 
hension, it was indescribably charming when irra- 
diated by the glad light that leaped into her eyes, 
and the smile which dimpled her cheeks and chin. 

'' Pietro! ” she exclaimed, her tone evincing her 
joy at seeing him. 

They talked rapidly in French, and with facility, 
though it was plain that it was the native tongue 
of neither, but probably because it was common 
ground on which they could meet. 


SCHEMES O' MICE AND MEN!' 7 

"'Come!” she said. “We will go. I am but 
an indifferent sailor, and would leave the ship as 
soon as possible.” 

“ Mme. la Comtesse will listen to me? ” asked 
the Italian, whom she had called Pietro, in a tone 
of utmost respect. 

Indeed, yes,” replied the lady with animation. 
“ The only one of my retinue who has proved faith- 
ful to me! Why not?” 

Pietro, bowing low, said, still in French: 

“ There are on the wharf two men of madame's 
nation. I have seen them in Paris about 
madame's hotel — only two days before I left Paris 
on madame’s orders, for this country. They 
watch for somebody. I fear it is for madame, by 
the orders of ” 

The lady interrupted Pietro as an expression of 
fear, even terror, stole over her face. Clutching 
the arm of Pietro in her agitation, she exclaimed: 

“ My God, even here already, and I am but 
arrived! ” 

“ Mme. la Comtesse must not distress herself,” 
said Pietro quickly, in a confident yet respectful 
and sympathetic tone. “ Pietro will baffle her 
enemies, and the city of New York is not like 
London even, for it is easily done. Every precau- 
tion is taken.” 

The lady, reassured, cast a grateful glance upon 
her servant. 


8 


AN AMERICAN CA VALTER. 


Then are we to go now? she asked, appar- 
ently putting herself unreservedly into Pietro’s 
hands. 

When we have had madame’s baggage ex- 
amined and put into the carriage. She cannot 
have much? ” he said inquiringly. 

'' No; a trunk and a satchel.” 

‘‘ Madame’s trunks and cases that I brought 
over with me are already in the house I have 
selected for madame’s residence.” 

And if there are spies here, they know that 
already,”-said the countess; but it was tentatively. 

‘‘ Madame would reproach me for want of 
care,” replied Pietro. I am sure nothing is 
known. His spies did not even know I was in this 
country until they saw me here to-day.” 

'' Then my departure from Paris was known? ” 

It could not be otherwise.” 

No, Pietro,” she said, I reproach you for 
nothing but devotion to a woman followed by mis- 
fortune.” She laid her hand upon his and smiled 
adorably. 

Pietro bowed, highly pleased, and said: 

Madame is known at the house as Mme. 
Thompson! ” 

‘‘ Ah, yes! That was the name chosen.” 

Does Mathilde accompany madame? ” 

No,” replied the lady, speaking with asperity 
for the first time. Like all the rest, except you, 


SC//£Af£S O' MICE AND MEN.'* 9 

my faithful Pietro, my maid was a spy upon me in 
the pay of ” 

This time it was Pietro who repressed utterance 
of the name. 

“ It is best to mention no names. May I have 
the keys, so that I can have the examination 
made? '' 

The lady handed him the keys, and Pietro left 
her, saying “ I will return soon.’' The countess 
found a chair where, somewhat secluded, she could 
sit. 

As Pietro passed down the gangway to the 
wharf, he was sensible that his reappearance 
caused signals between the two Russians, who still 
maintained their posts of observation. Reaching 
the wharf he cast a quick glance about him and, 
satisfied that his countrymen were there, began 
the search for his mistress’ trunk and satchel. 

The search was soon ended and, securing an ex- 
amination, he had the trunk and satchel conveyed 
to the hack in waiting for him, and returned to 
the lady. 

Together, with no effort at concealment, they 
descended the gangway, the lady on the arm of 
her servant, to the suppressed excitement of the 
two Russians, who exchanged almost impercep- 
tible signals of recognition of the person for whom 
they had waited. 

Immediately they left their posts. One went 


lo AN AMERICAN CA VALIER, 

to a carriage standing near by, and spoke briefly 
to the driver; it must have been in directing atten- 
tion to Pietro^s coach, for the driver looked at it 
attentively. The other Russian followed leisurely, 
a short distance behind Pietro and the countess. 

The Italian helped the lady into the coach and, 
without a word of instruction to his driver, sprang 
in and slammed the door, whereupon the driver 
touched up his horses into as smart a gait as the 
crowded condition of the pier warranted. 

The Russian who had followed them turned 
quickly and ran to the coach by the side of which 
his companion was standing, but immediately 
came into violent contact with a man running 
at full speed. Together they fell, rolling on the 
floor of the wharf, the Russian underneath and 
unable to regain his feet. The other Russian, 
realizing the accident his companion had met 
with, immediately sprang to his coach-door, but, 
singularly, just as he was about to step in, another 
running man struck him, stumbled, and to save 
himself caught the Russian by the waist, with the 
result of also bringing him to the floor. 

By the time either could regain their feet, the 
coach containing Pietro and the countess had 
passed beyond the possibility of pursuit. 

The two Russians met at the door of their coach 
crestfallen, their driver looking down upon them 
with a broad grin. The two Italians were there 


schemes o* mice and men: 


11 


too, one of them making abject apologies, and the 
other declaring loudly and volubly that he had 
been interrupted in a pursuit. 

The two Russians heeded them not, but one 
said to the other: 

“ It was well done.’’ 

‘‘The Italian is very clever,” replied the other. 

They then entered their coach and were driven 
away slowly. 


CHAPTER II. 


PRINCE KROUPIEVE. 

Diplomat and statesman; favorite and confidant 
of his Imperial Master, Alexander; ruler of a princi- 
pality, one half of which he owned, Prince Alexis 
Kroupieve looked it all. 

In the summer of 1893 this Russian nobleman 
of high distinction and great power was a visitor 
also to the United States. Rumor credited him 
with vast and special powers from the Czar anent 
the treaty at that time pending between the two 
countries. If it were so, presentation of that mis- 
sion had not been made to our foreign depart- 
ment, and our government had no official knowl- 
edge of either the coming or the presence of the 
distinguished person. The Russian embassy 
maintained an inviolable taciturnity, but treated 
the illustrious visitor with almost royal honors. 

On a certain day late in July Prince Kroupieve 
occupied luxurious apartments in one of those 
large hotels clustering about the main entrance of 
Central Park, in this great metropolis of ours. At 
the moment of his introduction to the reader he 
was seated in a large easy-chair near the center 


13 


PRINCE UROUPIEVE. 

of the room, a small table drawn up at his elbow, 
which was littered with papers and letters; but 
with these papers, however, he was less concerned 
than with the man standing, much embarrassed, 
in front of him a few feet away. 

But if Maurice Hanford, chief of Hanford’s De- 
tective Agency, as he proudly announced on all 
proper occasions, was embarrassed, he was yet far 
more angry, a fact indifferently noted by the 
prince, but most carefully by Rodion Michaelo- 
vitch, warily watching from his station near the 
windows, and with alarm, for Rodion, during his 
seven weeks’ residence in this country, had ob- 
served, with no little bewilderment, that the 
average American displayed an independence that 
resented an address such as Prince Kroupieve 
was accustomed to employ toward those whom 
he regarded his inferiors. 

Rodion, who was man of confidence, ready and 
prompt servant, chief of spies, anything of service 
needed to Prince Kroupieve, in fact, doubted 
whether the average American regarded himself as 
inferior to anybody; therefore, concealing his 
alarm, he stood with his hand in his pocket grasp- 
ing a revolver, prepared to go to the defense of 
his master, should that master’s tone and words 
goad the average American, Hanford, into an 
overt act of violence. 

It might have been supposed that under such 


14 


AN- AMERICAN CA VALIER, 


circumstances Rodion, having been in this country 
much longer, and therefore better informed than 
his master, would have advised the prince to 
adopt a different address; but to advise was some- 
thing Rodion did not dream of doing; to obey and 
to defend the prince was his duty. So it was that 
he watched, ready to act if necessity required 
interference. 

“ So,” continued the prince, magnificent dis- 
pleasure on his face, and with that precise and de- 
liberate enunciation marking the foreigner, more 
learned in the language he uses than practiced in 
its speech, “ so, after five weeks, with ample means 
at your command, you report that the person 
sought for cannot be found; that you do not 
know, even, that she is in this city or has left it — 
even that she is in this country or has left it. 
Surely, sir, you are a very accurate hound! ” 

‘‘ That’s a fact,” replied Hanford doggedly. “ I 
don’t know whether she ever came to the city.” 

My good sir,” said the prince with increased 
contempt, ‘‘ my spies had not difficulty in watch- 
ing her embark from that port in France, nor in 
watching her land in this city of New York of 
yours.” 

The emphasis, suggesting that Hanford was 
merely a spy, differing only from those possessed 
by the prince in being less shrewd and efficient, 
stung the detective into this retort: 


PRINCE KROUPikVE, i5 

“Then such fly spies as yours should have fol- 
lowed her until they knew where she planted 
herself.” 

“ They naturally supposed that the very efficient 
police of this great city would inform itself of the 
presence of a stranger, at least of her distinction,” 
replied the prince haughtily, and in a tone imply- 
ing censure of the police authorities. 

Hanford had not a high opinion of the efficiency 
of the police force, — had not had, indeed, since 
that day when the authorities had permitted so 
valuable a member of the detective bureau as him- 
self to sever his relations with it without protest, 
— but his anger and resentment drove him to its 
defense, and at the same time to a declaration of 
patriotism. 

“ See here, sir,” he said sternly, recovering from 
his embarrassment as he lost his temper, “America 
isn’t Russia, by a long shot. The police here, nor 
anywhere else in this broad country, don’t spy 
after people doing no wrong and under no suspi- 
cion. There is no complaint, no charge, no warn- 
ing against this woman, from any government or 
police of any country. You don’t make any 
charge. All there is of it is that you want to 
locate her. There’s such a thing as liberty in this 
country, and if you’re going to stay here long, 
you want to learn that right away. It ’ll save you 
a lot of trouble.” 


l6 A AT AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

“ And increase my difficulties/’ sneered the 
prince, while Rodion was horrified at the bold 
reply. 

“ I don’t know anything about your difficul- 
ties, and I don’t care; but I do know you insult 
every American citizen when you think anything 
else.” 

‘‘Enough! Silence, dog!” haughtily com- 
manded the prince. 

“ Stop that ! ” angrily replied the detective. “ I 
am no more of a dog than you are. Calling people 
dogs may do where you come from, if they’ll let 
you. But I won’t, and you won’t find many here 
that will, either.” 

The counter command, utterly beyond the ex- 
perience of the Russian nobleman, so much aston- 
ished him that he was not even angered, and while 
he stared at this unheard-of specimen of humanity, 
Hanford, feeling that he had sufficiently declared 
the manhood of the general American, passed on 
to a declaration of his own particular manhood, 
growing very doubtful in his grammar-: 

“ And I want you to understand that I am none 
of your dirty spies. I’m a detective, I am, doing 
a straight business, and I’m beginnin’ to have big 
doubts whether this ’ere job of yourn is straight 
or not.” 

“Enough!” commanded the prince, and turn- 
ing to Rodion, said, “ Pay him what he demands.” 


PRINCE NRO C/P/A F£. 


17 


‘‘ I demand nothing,” promptly retorted Han- 
ford, so angry as to lose all sense of gain. “ If 
youVe got any good of my five weeks’ work, 
you’re welcome to it. I make you a present of it, 
and drop the job. But as I believe you’re up to 
no good yourself. I’m goin’ to keep an eye on 
you. Good-morning! ” 

And the champion of American manhood and 
American detectives took himself and his man- 
hood out of the room, strode angrily down the 
stairs, and, pausing only to warn the clerk at the 
desk that he’d better look after the fellow calling 
himself Prince Kroupieve, as he (Hanford) had 
“ crossed ” on him, and didn’t believe he was any 
good, walked out of the hotel and out of this 
story at one and the same moment. 

As the door closed upon Hanford, the prince 
rose from his chair and paced up and down the 
room, deep in thought, the while Rodion stood 
at the window motionless, patiently awaiting the 
prince’s pleasure. 

It is to be feared that Hanford’s expressed 
opinion of the prince was born solely of his anger 
— anger caused by the arrogant and contemptu- 
ous treatment he had received. Certainly the 
appearance and manner of the prince did not war- 
rant it. Surely, in every motion he carried the 
air of dignity, consequence, authority, and dis- 
tinction of the man accustomed to the deference 


l8 an AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

of his fellow-men, and to power and the exercise 
of it. About him was the atmosphere of a great 
world, and his haughtiness, ingrained as it was, 
was the haughtiness of conscious superiority. But 
that his features were too hard and rugged, and 
animated by a cruel and cynical expression, he 
would have been called handsome. Even the 
sneer which lurked habitually under his black, 
waxed, and pointed mustache could not lessen 
the dignity of his face, and no man would deny 
that high spirit and determination were essential 
characteristics of the man, nor that the habit of 
command sat well upon him. 

Suddenly he turned from his pacing up and 
down, upon his patient attendant. 

“ Ha, Rodion! ’’ he exclaimed. 

‘‘ Yes, master,” was the submissive reply. 

“ You have had an example of the liberty which 
the babes drink in with their milk in this favored 
land.” 

The habitual sneer became more marked. 

“ Liberty, with its attendant consequence — 
independence — that permits a spy to insult his 
superior, and denies the superior the right of 
immediate punishment. Liberty, independence, 
justice! Great are thy names! ” 

“ There are no superiors here,” modestly com- 
mented Rodion. 

True, Rodion Michaelovitch! All are base- 


PRINCE NROUP/^VE. 


19 


born, even the very rich man at whose palace in 
Newport I dined last week. But stop! It is the 
inferiors who are the superiors; the superiors are 
the inferiors.” 

In what way, master? ” 

In all ways — in sarcasm or sincerity. What 
I find is this: The lower classes, and what they 
call here the great middle class, have no rever- 
ence for rank. It is the rich alone who prostrate 
themselves before the person of rank, whom idle- 
ness or affairs of nations drift to their shores, 
envying the titles their stern republican constitu- 
tion denies them. Pah! ” 

He crossed the room to the windows and 
looked out as he added: 

There is more respect for the fellow who has 
just left us, for he really believes in his equality. 
He is your true American republican.” 

He was silent at the window as he watched the 
throng passing up and down. 

‘‘It is wonderful!” finally he remarked, rather 
to himself than to his attendant. “ This swarm- 
ing multitude, alike prosperous in appearance. 
No poverty, no classes, no distinctions! They go 
up and down and the authorities take no heed. 
Men come from all the world, and no one says to 
them: ‘Who are you?’ ‘Why do you come 
here?’ ‘What is your business?’ ‘Where are 
you going? ’ Men go out of the country into all 


20 


AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


the world, and no one asks: ' For what purpose? ’ 
I am told that there are in this great city, every 
night, one hundred and twenty-five thousand 
strangers, and the Government does not know 
that they are here — not even the name of one of 
them, nor where they come from, nor where they 
go to. Not one of them does the Government 
dare to question, unless he has committed crime, 
or there is strong proof that he has. The Govern- 
ment exists by the consent and selection of the 
governed, and yet it is strong. Is the republican 
right, after all? ” 

“ It would not do for Russia.” 

Yet the Russian emigrates to this country, 
becomes a citizen, is presented with the same 
freedom, and is one of them, scrupulously obey- 
ing their laws and customs — as good a citizen as 
the rest. Let us be philosophical. We condemn 
the theory, and hold freedom to be dangerous; 
yet here, where liberty is guaranteed, property is 
protected, life is safe, the bomb an incident pun- 
ished almost with ferocity when discovered, the 
country grows in population and wealth beyond 
any nation on earth, and there is no anarchy.” 

“ And no Siberia,” quietly remarked Rodion. 
The prince regarded Rodion contemplatively. 
“ And no privilege for class. I cannot find the 
Countess Naletoff, though I am convinced she is 
in this city.” 


PRINCE KROUPikVE, 


21 


“ In St. Petersburg we would know within 
twenty-four hours every inmate of every house. 
But here, liberty not only does not know, but 
prevents the search.’' 

“ Yes; liberty defeats me, the representative of 
absolutism. But Alexis Kroupieve will not be 
defeated. The prince, diplomat, representative of 
imperial powers may be, but not Alexis, the man 
and politician. Money and energy can do as 
much in the land of liberty as in the land of 
absolutism.” 

He crossed the room to a table on which there 
was a curiously mounted box, from which, after 
unlocking it with a key from his chain, and open- 
ing it, he took a photograph. Calling Michaelo- 
vitch to him, he said: 

“ Have as many copies of this made as is neces- 
sary. Fill the city with spies. Give each one a 
copy, and let the opera, the theaters, restaurants, 
hotels, shops, the railroad stations, the cars, the 
streets, the drives, the parks, the parades, be 
haunted night and day until she is found.” 

‘‘ And when she is — what then? She cannot 
be seized.” 

Not yet. There is a way to be made, but not 
yet. Found, she shall be watched every moment, 
until the prince, the representative of imperial 
power, has found the way not now possible. Go, 
then, on this business, Rodion Michaelovitch. 


22 


AJV AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


But stop! Admit the Dale; I have business with 
him/’ 

He laughed low and contemptuously. 

“ Dale! Another shrewd American citizen, 
who laughs at spies, and does not know that I 
employ him as one of mine.” 

Michaelovitch patiently waited for further re- 
mark, but, hearing none, bowed low and left the 
room. The prince walked to the window, looked 
out a moment, and, turning, spoke aloud: 

“ Money, energy, and patience will accomplish 
my desire. No, beautiful Countess of Naletoff, 
you cannot escape your destiny, though you fly 
Russia, and hide under the folds of the Stars and 
Stripes. The arms of Alexis Kroupieve are long 
and his power wide.” 

The door opened, and there entered a person 
who presented in himself contradictions. If the 
snow-white hair curling crisply and closely over 
his head, and the snow-white mustache elabo- 
rately curled at the ends, suggested the dignity of 
years, his tall, slight, elegant figure, the vivacity 
of his manner, the extreme youthfulness of the 
fashion of his clothes, and the gayety of his speech 
contradicted the suggestion, and left the observer 
puzzled to know whether he was a youthful old 
man or a youthful man prematurely old. 

“ Ah, Dale! ” cried the prince, his tone and 
manner changing instantly upon the entrance of 


PRINCE KROUPikVE. 




his caller, who with easy, yet respectful, familiarity 
dropped into a low chair. “ I greet you with 
pleasure, my friend Dale. This heat, so excessive, 
affects you not — so fresh, so cool.” 

“ Fresh I may be, prince — undoubtedly am; 
but cool — I repel the idea as a base insinuation of 
flattery, and accept it as a tribute to my costume, 
especially contrived to delude spectators and de- 
ceive myself. No, Your Serene Highness, I am 
warm; and I must cut this hot town and seek 
my brother-in-law, which, being liberally inter- 
preted into intelligible English, means a cool 
country house by the water-side.” 

“Ha!” said the prince, seating himself in the 
chair where we found him when this chapter 
opened. “ Let me send for a cigar and a cooling 
drink.” 

He made a motion as if to touch a bell on the 
table at his side, but Dale vivaciously put up both 
hands in protest. 

“ Don’t! ” he cried; “ I never smoke until after 
lunch, nor drink until after dinner.” 

“Ha! Wherefore the years pass over your 
head with no touch of their withering frost.” 

“ But a heavy fall of snow,” replied Dale with 
a laugh, laying his hand on his hair. 

“ But who is this brother-in-law. I have not 
heard of him — this brother-in-law, for whom you 
would forsake me? ” 


24 AN- AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

‘‘ Forsake you, prince — never! Yet some- 
thing is due to one’s family, if he possesses such 
a necessary appendage to respectability. I have 
been back in this country three weeks, after three 
years’ absence, and have not put in an appear- 
ance to inform it that its ornament is alive and 
kicking.” 

The prince looked up with a surprised and 
amused expression. 

Kicking,” continued Dale, replying to the 
expression on his host’s face, “ is not to be taken 
literally. It is a bit of American slang, indicating 
in a brief and expressive manner that I am vigor- 
ous and in health. Besides, I have a dear girl of 
a daughter I have yearnings to see.” 

“ Ah, ha! A young lady, of course? ” 

“Not yet, thank Heaven!” 

“ And the brother-in-law — you have not told 
me about him. What is he? ” 

“ Considered as to himself, a dear, good, gener- 
ous fellow, of whom I am very fond. Considered 
as to his profession, a lawyer of high standing, 
great distinction, and brilliant abilities, with a 
trace of eccentricity quite as marked as in your 
sparkling friend who is discussing him. Con- 
sidered as to his aspirations — like yourself, a 
diplomat.” 

“ Ha! Then he is in public life? ” 

“ As we all are in this country. But my brother- 


PRINCE KROUPIEVE. 25 

in-law relies less upon his public services for 
advancement than upon his distinction as an ad- 
vocate, and — which is far more to the point — his 
intimate friendship with the Secretary of State — 
Williams, his chum at college.” 

The prince turned upon Dale slowly a shrewd, 
penetrative glance, but Dale was oblivious, for 
at the moment he was straightening out the bow 
of blue ribbon on his white straw hat. 

The prince languidly picked, from the table at 
his elbow, a paper, over which he cast a careless 
glance and put it back. 

“ And his name is what? ” he asked. 

Chester K. Harlowe.” 

“ Chester K. Harlowe,” repeated the prince 
languidly. “ That is singular! ” 

“ What — the name? ” 

‘‘ By no means. Nothing is singular in this 
singular country. No; but a distinguished law- 
yer of that name, of the firm of Harlowe & 
Marsters, was recommended to me.” 

That is my brother-in-law, by George! ” 

Ha! Then I have a mission for you to per- 
form — a mission which will comport with your 
desire to cut this hot city.” 

Your missions are commands,” replied Dale 
airily. 

'' I am engaged in an enterprise of vast moment 
in this country, which has as yet not been re- 


26 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


vealed. In that enterprise I must have the 
assistance of a lawyer. Mr. Harlowe has been 
recommended to me as the very man who would 
serve the purpose. I would have you go to him 
and prepare the way for an interview with him. 
You will inform him of my rank and dignities 
and the confidence I enjoy at the court of St. 
Petersburg, and will use the influence which 
your near relation to him gives you to induce him 
to accept my offer.” 

“ And the business on which you wish him to 
engage? ” 

The prince, reassuming his grand air, rose and' 
said haughtily: 

“ That I will myself inform him when I meet 
him.” 

Dale, slightly coloring over the intimation con- 
veyed that he was seeking to penetrate affairs 
purposely concealed from him, accepted the 
speech and manner as a dismissal. With some- 
thing of a loss of his easy and graceful familiarity 
he replied: 

I will go upon your mission to-day, prince. 
I bid you good-morning.” 

'' One moment,” said the Prince. The ad- 
dress of Mr. Harlowe is what? ” 

‘‘ During these summer months at his country 
house at Edgemere, on Long Island Sound, near 
Northport.” 


PRINCE KROUPIEVE. 


2 ^ 


I will myself go to Northport to await the 
result of your mission.” 

Dale turned to go, but was again detained by 
the prince, who, crossing to the box from which 
he had taken the photograph he had given to 
Michaelovitch, took from it, apparently without 
counting, a roll of bills, returning to Dale. 

“ There are expenses to be borne,” he said, 
extending the money. 

Under an impulse which Dale could not have 
analyzed, if he had tried, but probably due to the 
hauteur, so unusual, with which he had been 
treated by the prince. Dale made a protest by 
.a gesture. 

No,” said the prince peremptorily, ‘‘ take it.” 

Then, with a smile and a graciousness that put 
Dale more at his ease, he added : 

“ Russia cannot afford to be other than well 
represented by its agents.” 

Dale took the money, bowed, bade the prince 
good-morning, and left the room. 

“Oh, words, words, words!” ejaculated the 
prince when alone. “ That light-headed fool 
would have been insulted had I used the word 
spy. But with agent, meaning the same thing, 
he is flattered and honored.” 


CHAPTER III. 


AN HUMBLE AMBASSADOR. 

The legal firm of Harlowe & Marsters was one 
of the most respected in the city, and had its 
offices in Wall Street. 

Mr. Harlowe was the more conspicuous mem- 
her, known as a brilliant advocate, and widely 
recognized as a formidable trial lawyer. 

The voice of Mr. Marsters was rarely heard in 
the courts, but in legal circles it was said the 
solidity of learning of the firm and its great con- 
structive power in the building up and prepara- 
tion of cases were possessed by him. Studious, 
precise, accurate, with powers of vast and patient 
labor, he lacked the qualities which had made his 
partner celebrated. 

If Harlowe was brilliant, he was erratic; if 
eloquent, not always strong in judgment; if fer- 
tile in expedients, ready in resources, prompt in. 
adapting himself to emergencies, he was wanting 
in powers of application and utterly incapable of 
drudgery. With a marvelous grasp of mind he 
seized upon the various parts of a case when 

28 


AN HUMBLE AMBASSADOR. 


29 


everything was prepared for him by Marsters, in 
all their bearings and relations, and no one could 
do more with the materials when they were given 
him. Once engaged in a trial, he was trans- 
formed; but the spur of excitement and action 
was necessary to call forth the powers of his mind, 
and then all was at his disposal. 

A power at his desk, strong in counsel and con- 
ference, Marsters was a weakling on his feet, for, 
slow and methodical in his processes, he was easily 
disconcerted. 

Together they made one great lawyer, and their 
brother members of the bar said that they worked 
together like perfectly adjusted pieces of machin- 
ery — utterly useless if separated — and that, if one 
died or retired from practice, the other, perforce, 
would be compelled to abandon the law; and 
that, in short, they had become thoroughly corre- 
lated and were interdependent. 

Both were bachelors, and as warm friends as 
they were close partners. And Marsters exer- 
cised a fatherly care over Harlowe an^ his affairs, 
glorying in his abilities and troubled by his 
eccentricities. 

One day, about a week before we met the 
prince, a foreigner called at the office of the firm 
in Wall Street and asked for Mr. Harlowe. As 
it was the long vacation, most of the clerks were 
away, and, between the hours of one and two> 


30 AN AMERICAN CAVALIER, 

those who were yet on duty at the office were 
out at their luncheons. 

A young lad of fourteen or fifteen was in pos- 
session, and at the moment of the entrance of the 
stranger was engaged in dropping ink on flies 
struggling for release from the fly-paper on which 
they had been caught. Neither desisting from 
his humane employment, nor even turning to look 
upon the caller, the lad to the inquiry gave rapid 
and indifferent reply: 

Not in; don’t know w’cn he will; not this 
summer; never comes w’en de courts aint sittin’.” 

The reply was not only disappointing, but dis- 
concerting to the caller. He stood still so long 
that the lad turned to see what had become of 
him. And seeing him standing there with bended 
head, the lad vouchsafed the further information: 

“ Mr. Harlowe is up to his country place — 
Edgemere.” 

The stranger turned to the door, and turned 
back again, as if undecided what course to pur- 
sue, and, in doing so, discovered to the lad that he 
wore in his ears gold rings. 

The lad was instantly interested. This was 
something new and odd in his observation, and 
so he determined that the stranger should not 
depart until he had further investigated the phe- 
nomena. He detained the object of his curiosity 
by a question: 


AI^ HUMBLE AMBASSADOR. 


31 


Does youse want to see him particular? ” 

The stranger nodded his head earnestly. 

Well,” said the lad, walking about the room, 
in order to satisfy himself that he wore rings in 
both ears, you’ll hev’ to go up to his house to 
’im. He don’t never come here in de summer 
time.” 

The man turned hopelessly to the door. 

‘"Say!” asked the lad, “won’t Misser Bentley 
Tend to yer biz’nis? ” 

“ Messer-a Bent — ? ” repeated the man in a 
tone of wondering curiosity, and discovering for- 
eign accent. 

“ One of our clerks — students — he tends to a 
hull lot of Harlowe’s biz’nis w’en he aint here.” 

“ No,” replied the foreigner, “ the busanis is-a 
mos’ import. No-a clerk can-a ’tend.” 

“ Well, say! Mr. Marsters is here to-day.” 

“ Who-a is the Misstare Marsters? ” 

“ Why, say, he’s the boss of the office — Misser 
Harlowe’s partner.” 

“Ah!” An expression of relief swept over his 
face as he asked eagerly: 

“ Can-a I see him? ” 

“ I dunno,” said the lad, “ but I’ll find out.” 

Disappearing behind a door, he quickly reap- 
peared, saying: 

“ Misser Marsters will see you. Come in.” 

As the foreigner stepped briskly forward, 


32 * AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

the office lad, whose curiosity was too great to 
be repressed, detained him with a question: 

'' Say! ” he asked, pointing with his ink-stained 
finger, say, what do you wear them things for? ’’ 
For a moment the foreigner failed to under- 
stand Joe, but realizing, he was staggered. Then 
he regained self-possession, laughed, and answered 
good-humoredly : 

“ Don’t-a they look-a pretty? ” 

“ Hully gee, pretty! ” exclaimed the lad as he 
led the foreigner through a room filled with desks, 
but at the time unoccupied by any person, and 
ushered him into a smaller one, in which, at a 
desk in the corner, a middle-aged gentleman was 
poring over some papers. 

He pointed to a chair beside him, without lift- 
ing his head, and said: 

'' Take a seat.’’ 

Concluding the reading of the page on which 
he was engaged when interrupted, and laying it 
out of his hand, with a swift, scanning glance he 
asked pleasantly: 

Well, sir, what can I do for you? ” 

The man, somewhat embarrassed notwithstand- 
ing the pleasant address of the lawyer, hesitated 
a moment before he replied: 

'' It-a is nothing for-a me,” he finally said, ‘‘ but 
for Her Highness the Countess Naletoff.” 

Attracted by the name and title, unusual to his 


AM HUMBLE AMBASSADOR. 33 

ears, and by the respectful tone of the mention, 
the lawyer again swiftly scanned the face of his 
visitor, and determined his nationality. 

\ “ Ah! ” he said, “ the lady is from Italy.'’ 

“ No, signor " — he corrected himself promptly 
— “ No, sare, she is a Russian. I am an Italian.” 

, “ Ah! ” The lawyer waited for the stranger to 

disclose his business, which did not seem so easy 
from his hesitation. But after a moment or two 
he went on: 

“ You are-a Mistare Marsters? ” 

‘‘ Yes.” 

‘‘ The part-aner of-a Mistare Har-lowe? ” 

‘‘ Yes.” 

“ It was-a to see-a him I-a come.” 

Mr. Marsters looked at the door on the other 
side of the room, on which was painted the name 
of Harlowe, and said: 

Mr. Harlowe is rarely here in the summer 
months,” and he added in an undertone: ‘'And 
may never be here again.” 

If the foreigner heard the added remark, he did 
not heed it. 

“ I heard of-a Mistare Haralowe, by a country- 
man of-a mine. He was very kind to-a my coun- 
tryman — Carlo Carvolla.” 

“ Oh, yes! ” said Mr. Marsters. “ I remember 
the case.” 

And he recalled it as one of those quixotic 


34 AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

affairs of Harlowe, who had taken the case 
through sympathy and paid all the costs himself. 

“ He-a saved my countryman from-a being 
robbed/' 

Mr. Marsters bowed in acquiescence, and asked: 

“ Is this a similar case? " 

‘‘Oh, no, sare!" replied the Italian quickly. 
“ But-a my countryman a-say, Mistare Haralowe 
is so good-a man, and so great-a man, that I-a 
'vise Mme. la Comtesse to consult him, and she-a 
send me to see-a him." 

“ Well," said Mr. Marsters, leaning back in his 
chair, wishing that his visitor would come to the 
point without so long an introduction, “ Mr. 
Harlowe is not here. If you will tell me the busi- 
ness of the lady, I will listen, and, if nothing more, 
tell Mr. Harlowe. I see him every evening." 

The eyes of the Italian glistened with pleasure; 
he evidently had been afraid that Mr. Marsters 
would not; and Mr. Marsters, watching him 
closely, mentally recorded the impression that the 
man before him was a kindly and true man. 

“ It is ver-a import. Would not the gentleman 
call upon Mme. la Comtesse? " 

“Who? Mr. Harlowe?" 

“ No, sare. Mistare Mar-asters? " 

The lawyer was surprised, and bluntly asked: 

“ Why can't she come here? " 

The Italian smiled deprecatingly upon Mr. 


AN HUMBLE AMBASSADOR. 35 

Marsters, spread his hands, and shrugged his 
shoulders, as if craving his indulgence. 

“ Mme. la Comtesse is la grande dame — a 
lady of the highest a-rank, not accustom to the-a 
ways of America. It is deefecult to-a make her 
understand that-a people-a go, not-a come in this 
countray.’' 

The expression with which he looked upon Mr. 
Marsters as he completed his sentence was one of 
mute appeal to the lawyer to concede his rights 
to the ignorance of the lady as to the customs of 
the country. Mr. Marsters saw the situation as 
in a flash light. 

“ Ah! What is your name? ” 

‘‘ It is nothing,” replied the Italian, meaning 
that he was of no importance. “ Pietro Martani.” 

“ Are you her man of business? ” 

“ Oh, no, sare! Merely a servant, who came 
with madame from France.” 

Mr. Marsters was puzzled. Noting the expres- 
sion on the lawyer’s face, the Italian hastened to 
say, and pleadingly: 

“ Madame is alone. She has no one to advise 
but Pietro. She is friendless; in much trouble, 
but very rich. A great man does give her much 
trouble. She ran away from Russia — from France 
— to escape them. In very great trouble, signor! 
She weep and pull her hands, signor, and the 
heart of Pietro ache for her. She-a know not 


36 


AAT AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


what-a to do. So I say see the good Mistare 
Har-alowe. And at last she cry, ‘ Go, good Pietro, 
go bring him.’ I come.” 

Mr. Marsters was interested and even curious. 
Yielding to an impulse, something most unusual 
in him, he decided to go, excusing his determina- 
tion on the ground, if he did not, Harlowe would, 
and it were better for him to examine the ground 
first, thus perhaps saving Harlowe from the 
clutches of an adventuress. So he asked: 

Where is she? ” 

' Up-a town, in Lexington Ave. She live 
retired — afraid to go out. She-a live by the name 
of Mme. Thompson.” 

The affair was not only curious, but taking on 
an air of mystery. 

‘‘ Well,” asked Mr. Marsters, can’t you tell me 
something about the matter? ” 

I do not know — only that she is good, in 
trouble, and I pity her. I don’t know mooch. 
It is about a treatay — a treatay with Russia.” 

Mr. Marsters thought it was even becoming 
international. The Italian continued: 

‘‘ She pull her hands, and say-a, when they 
make that treatay they make-a her go-a back to 
Russia.” 

Mr. Marsters leaned back in his chair, closed 
his eyes, and thought it all over, and ended by 
yielding. 


AN HUMBLE AMBASSADOR. 37 

‘‘ Well,” he finally said, “it is somewhat irreg- 
ular, but ril go to see her this afternoon.” 

The Italian was delighted, overwhelming the 
lawyer with thanks in the name of the countess. 
He enthusiastically dictated the address of the 
lady, which Mr. Marsters carefully wrote in his 
memorandum book. 

“Does the lady speak English?” asked the 
lawyer, thinking, perhaps, that he might be com- 
pelled to provide an interpreter. 

Pietro informed him that she spoke the Eng- 
lish language with facility, and, the conference 
being at an end, the Italian took his leave, but at 
the door was detained by a question: 

“ Do you know,” asked Mr. Marsters, as he 
looked at his entry in the book, “ from what 
part of Russia the Countess Mura Naletoff 
comes? ” 

“ Madame has her place in Woronetz, where 
she has great estates.” 

The Italian waited for other questions, but, 
receiving none, bowed profoundly and passed 
through the door. 

Though Mr. Marsters had yielded to impulses 
far more characteristic of Mr. Harlowe than him- 
self, it was not without saving clauses, and one 
was involved in the last question he had asked of 
Pietro. 

What it was was soon made apparent, for, tak- 


38 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


ing his hat, he went straight to the office of the 
Russian consul. 

I Gaining access to that dignitary, he told him 
that he was in search of information. First satis- 
fying the consul as to who he was, and his im- 
portance, he said, and most guardedly: 

“ In a matter in which I am concerned, a state- 
ment has been made to me as to the truth of 
which I am not clear. But by answering a simple 
question, if you can and will, perhaps I can deter- 
mine the truth.’’ 

“ I will try willingly,” responded the consul 
courteously. 

“ Is there a lady in Russia, of high rank and 
distinction, living in Woronetz, named Countess 
Mura Naletoff ? ” 

The expression of the consul changed instantly 
from that of bland courtesy to surprise and in- 
tense interest. In fact, the manner of the Russian 
official was such as to deepen the curiosity of Mr. 
Marsters and put him on guard at every point. 
His question was answered by the look the consul 
bent upon him so keenly, and the expressions, 
unreadable by him though they were, which 
chased over the Russian’s face, and as well by the 
excitement of manner an effort to control which 
was plainly made. 

'' May I ask what interest you have in the 
lady? ” asked the consul 


AN HUMBLE AMBASSADOR. 39 

None whatever/’ replied Mr. Marsters, feeling 
that he could safely and truthfully say that, what- 
ever other answer he might have to make to a 
similar question a few hours later. 

May I ask also whether you are acquainted 
with the lady? ” 

Why, sir, I have never been in Russia,” replied 
Mr. Marsters. 

‘‘ That does not answer my question,” said the 
consul sternly. 

The manner of the consul was such as to satisfy 
Marsters, not only that the countess was a verita- 
ble person, but one of consequence; she might be 
accused of crime, indeed even a criminal, but noth- 
ing was plainer than that the consul regarded the 
lady as of consequence. Though seeking infor- 
mation, Mr. Marsters had no notion of being cate- 
chised, and until he saw further into the affair, he 
would yield up nothing, however slight. Besides, 
he was annoyed by the tone of the Russian 
official. 

'‘Pardon me!” he said. “A person asking a 
question should not refuse to answer one. But, 
there is this difference between the one that you 
put to me and the one I asked of you. I asked it 
of your courtesy; you demand yours as a right. 
However, I have nothing to conceal. I do not 
know the lady. I never have seen her, nor, until 
within the hour have I heard her name.” 


40 


A AT AMERICAN CA FALTER. 


“ There is such a la^Jy,” said the consul, “ and 
she is in America.” 

His expression changed suddenly. 

Ah! ” he cried suddenly. Pardon me, sir! I 
did not comprehend in my surprise. Sir, I com- 
mend your prudence. Ah! the selection is wisely 
made.” » 

Mr. Marsters, though further puzzled by this 
extraordinary change, ended the interview and 
went immediately to call upon the countess. 


CHAPTER IV. 


EDGEMERE. 

The name given by Mr. Harlowe to the home 
he had builded on the shores of Long Island 
Sound was Edgemere, not, as many supposed, 
because it was on the edge of the water, but be- 
cause it was on a ridge which marked the bounda- 
ries of sea and land; and, an ideal summer house 
it was. 

Perched on this bluff overlooking a vast ex- 
panse of water, the house was especially distin- 
guished for its wealth of verandas, which afforded 
comfortable and sheltered nooks, no matter from 
which point in the heavens the sun shone or the 
winds blew, without loss of a water view. The 
bluff at its edge was surmounted, and life and limb 
protected, by a substantial stone parapet, on the 
broad coping of which were placed, at regular 
intervals, large iron vases filled with flowers and 
vines — an old-fashioned device of ornamentation, 
which added stateliness, without destroying the 
graceful charm of the whole. On that side of the 
house which gave itself to the sea the ground was 
laid in carefully kept turf. Trees there were none, 


4 * 


42 


AM AMERICAM CaVaUeR. 


but strong-growing shrubbery, protecting the gar- 
den table and the chairs nestling under it, the 
broad verandas, and a rustic shelter on that side of 
the lawn opposite to the house and near the stone 
wall, gave the needed shade. 

If, at the risk of falling, you leaned far enough 
over the parapet, you could see at the foot of the 
bluff a little sandy beach where there was a row of 
bath houses, four or five in number; and, moored 
to a float, anchored a short distance from the 
shore, a flotilla of row and sail boats, together 
with a steam yacht of moderate dimensions. This 
beach was reached by a circuitous path, leading 
down from the right of the plateau on which was 
the house, to a point where the declivity ended in 
a low, but abrupt precipice, and was from thence 
helped out by a rude wooden stairway. 

On that side of the house which was not on the 
sea, and which might possibly have been called 
the front, the grounds stretched down to the pub- 
lic highway, a quarter of a mile distant, in wide, 
rolling lawn, diversified by paths, drives, trees, 
coleus and geraniums in masses and ribbons, and 
salvia in bonfires. 

Here Mr. Harlowe, a bachelor, dwelt in the idle 
summer days with his small family, consisting of 
his maiden sister Melinda, who was the mistress 
of his household, and his niece, Flossie Dale, a 
winsome creature, the trial of her aunt and the 


EDGEMERE. 


43 


pet of her uncle. For neighbors they had upon 
their left John Marsters, the partner of Mr. Har- 
lowe in the practice of the law, and on the right a 
Mrs. Melchor, an intimate friend of Melinda Har- 
lowe, a widow lady of large wealth, living in con- 
siderable state with her only child, a son named 
Arthur, upon whom she lavished a doting affec- 
tion, clothing him with attributes of intellect he 
did not possess, utterly blind to the imperfections 
he so clearly advertised by his presence. 

Between them these three families owned a mile 
and a half of the shore line, and had entered into a 
compact to dispose of none of it, so as to prevent 
the obtrusion of undesirable neighbors or obstruc- 
tions of the magnificent water view, wide-spread- 
ing in front of them. 

Happy in innocent pursuits these people had 
dwelt for some summers, peacefully and content- 
edly, until one day, in this summer of 1893, they 
were all of them suddenly involved in loves and 
ambitions which had their birth in lands many 
thousand miles to the east. 

With whatever degree of confidence our light- 
some friend Dale may have informed the Prince 
Kroupieve of his intention to visit his brother-in- 
law, it was with a total loss of it that he 
approached Edgemere. Indeed, in his self-com- 
muning, he confessed that were it not for the im- 
portant mission confided to him by the Prince 


44 


AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


Kroupieve, he could not have found courage to 
present himself in person until he had first pre- 
pared the way by correspondence, and then only 
if the nature of the correspondence warranted it. 

Confident of a warm welcome from his daughter 
Flossie, with whom always he had been more of 
a playmate than a parent, and of a kindly, if not 
enthusiastic, reception from his brother-in-law — 
were the latter uninfluenced — it was Melinda, the 
sister of his dead wife, who was the cause of his 
timidity. He knew that the plain-spoken woman 
regarded him with disfavor, if not positive aver- 
sion, and was never backward in the statement 
of her principles and opinions. Besides there 
were battles royal in the past, memories of which 
he recalled to his disquiet. 

While it was true that he could only say to his 
brother-in-law that Prince Kroupieve desired to 
retain the;*firm of Harlowe & Marsters, and could 
not even suggest the nature of the business to be 
engaged upon, still he felt that it was important, 
and that he could say so, because of the great im- 
portance of the prince. And the errand placed 
him in the light of one who was bearing gifts 
rather than supplicating them. 

But for all that he was by no means certain of 
the nature of his reception, and he had bragged 
not a little of his intimacy with the distinguished 
advocate. It was this that made the companion- 


jedcemere. 


45 


ship that Rodion Michaelovitch insisted upon, and 
which Dale was convinced was commanded by the 
prince, embarrassing. If his reception was to be 
a cold one, he did not want Rodion to be a witness 
of it. Hence it was by the exercise of no little 
ingenuity that he separated himself from the spy 
by cutting across lots,’' as he called it, sending 
his companion by the longer and easier way of the 
public highway. 

As he approached he saw the flutter of skirts 
on the veranda, and therefore cautiously made his 
way through the shrubbery. They were, as a 
matter of fact, those of Flossie. But Dale did 
not know that. 

“ If those skirts,” he muttered, “ were the stern 
draperies of Melinda, I’m fortunate in escaping 
her for a first encounter.” 

Shielded by a clump of shrubbery, he peered 
up and down; commenting audibly upon the im- 
provements made during his absence. Finding no 
one visible he came out into the open, brushing 
the dust from his boots, expressing his thoughts 
aloud — a bad habit he was given to. 

“ I thought I knew the way across lots,” he 
said. “ Perhaps I should have done better to have 
kept with my curious and observant friend Rodion 
Michaelovitch, for, in losing my way, I have lost 
time, and he will reach here as quickly. Rodion, 
humph! I nresume my accomplished friend 


46 


AJV AMERICAN CA FA HER. 


Prince Kroupieve keeps Michaelovitch at 
heels to insure the performance of the contract.” 

Flickering his handkerchief in the air before 
returning it to his pocket, he continued: 

“ What matter! since I already know that 
Michaelovitch is an agent of the Imperial Police 
of Russia. Rule for success as a Russian diplomat : 
Possess an elegant manner and command a swarm 
of spies.” 

Dismissing the subject of his thoughts by a care- 
less wave of the hand, he devoted his attention to 
the house and its surroundings. 

“ This is a lovely home for Flossie,” he re- 
marked, looking about him. “ I wonder if the 
little girl is still single. Of course; she is too 
young to be anything else. But then her mother 
was no older when she was married.” 

This consideration presented a problem which 
he at once proceeded to solve in a character- 
istically whimsical way. 

“ ril toss a coin,” he said. Heads married; 
tails single.” 

Taking a coin from his pocket, he spun it into 
the air, catching it dexterously as it fell. 

“Tails! Single! Good!” 

He pocketed the coin and dismissed the ques- 
tion as if truly and conclusively answered. 

And in this characteristic act was to be found 


edcemere. 


47 


one of the reasons why the practical-minded 
Melinda regarded him with such disfavor. 

Anxious to pass his reception unobserved by 
Michaeiovitch and momentarily expecting the 
arrival of that wily person, one would have sup- 
posed that he would have boldly made the plunge 
by applying for admission at the door. But his 
timid fears held him back; at length the opening 
of the door caused him to step behind a bush until 
he could determine who the comer was. 

It was a lad, staggering under the weight of a 
wooden cabinet, apparently too large and too 
heavy for so small a person. But the boy strug- 
gled manfully down the steps and across the lawn 
to a table on the right, on which with some diffi- 
culty he placed it. It was the office boy who had 
been so attracted by the gold earrings of Pietro. 

Dale, watching him from his place of conceal- 
ment, said: 

That looks like my shrewd but diminutive 
friend Joe.’’ 

Then he came forward, addressing the lad: 

‘‘Joe!” 

The lad, startled by the address, in his surprise 
nearly toppled over the cabinet, thereby sustain- 
ing another shock. 

Wha’ t’ell,” he exclaimed angrily. 

But his tone instantly changed-to one of glad- 


48 


AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


ness, and a broad grin spread over his face, when he 
saw who had addressed him. 

''By chiminy!’’ he cried. "It’s Misser Dale! 
Say! Fm tickled near t’ det t’ see youse, Misser 
Dale.” 

They shook hands gravely. 

Then Dale, lounging easily and gracefully on the 
arm of a garden chair, opened up the conversation 
which bore him such results. 

" Just arrived, Joe,” he said in his airy manner. 
" Item of fashionable intelligence! James Dale, 
Esq., of Midair Hall, County of Nowhere, has just 
returned from Russia on a high mission of state. 
But what is this wooden structure?” 

He tapped the cabinet with his cane. 

" Dat’s Misser Harlowe’s scine-tiffic discov- 
erey,” replied Joe promptly and briefly. 

" That is? ” 

Curiously observing the cabinet, and perceiving 
that from its appearance it was not new. Dale 
asked : 

" You mean antique discovery, don’t you, 
Joe?” 

The lad shook his head as one who knew what 
he meant and was not to be diverted by sense- 
less questions adding by way of further expla- 
nation: 

" He’s goin’ to study out here in the air.” 

Dale went to the cabinet, opened it, and, peer- 


EDGEMERE. 49 

ing in, found it was filled with vials and bottles 
containing liquids of various colors. 

The contents are somewhat indicative of the 
sciences,” he remarked, and then turning to Joe 
said gravely and severely: 

“ On your word of honor, Joe, isn’t this Aunt 
Melinda’s medicine case? ” 

“ Nope,” firmly responded Joe. 

Moved by a strong impulse of friendship toward 
his interlocutor, the lad said in a tone of earnest 
warning : 

“ Say! don’t you let Misser Harlowe jab you in 
de arm wid dose needles he’s got in dere. He 
jollied me into it, an’ I had de wuss sore on me 
arm — he squared it, dough, wid plunks.” 

Dale eyed the boy with interest and curiosity. 
A new word had evidently been added to the 
vocabulary of slang during his absence from the 
country. 

Plunks, me boy? ” he repeated inquiringly. 

With no little impatience over this manifesta- 
tion of ignorance of the peculiar language in use 
in the best circles on the east side, Joe exclaimed: 

Dollars! Money!” 

Dale stood rebuked. 

'' Oh, I perceive,” he said apolgetically, turning 
again to an inspection of the cabinet. Failing, 
however, to obtain even an inkling of the uses 
to which the cabinet or its contents were put, he 


50 AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

dosed it with the remark that he supposed it was 
a new fad of Chester’s. 

“ Joe, how is it I find you here? ” he asked of 
the boy, as he leaned against the table with his 
arm resting on the box. 

“ Oh, I chased meself up from N’ York las’ 
night wid some books and papers. I’m stopping 
over dere t’ Misser Marsters’ house.” 

Joe perched himself on the arm of a garden 
chair, with dangling feet, sustaining himself with 
one hand on the end of the arm and the other on 
the back of the chair. 

“ Marsters! ” exclaimed Dale, with a start of 
surprise. “ Has he a house here, too?” 

“ Yep; over dere,” pointing to the left at the 
imminent risk of falling. ‘‘ Built it las’ winter.” 

“ Surely, Joe, you don’t mean — oh, wild and 
yearning hope! Has he married Melinda at 
last?” 

“ Nope! ” replied Joe, partially successful in 
balancing himself on his precarious perch without 
the aid of his hands. Aint married; sister 
keepin’ house for him, same like Mr. Harlowe’s.” 

“ Of course,” commented Dale; “ too good to 
be true. Has the firm of Harlowe & Marsters 
transferred its business to Edgemere? ” 

The question was an idle one, having no pur- 
pose, but in the answer there was a shock of 
surprise, 


EDGEMERE. 


51 


Dey aint no firm now. Harlowe’s pulled out 
— dat is, he’s goin’ to t’day w’en dey signs de 
mootule release, wot Tom Bentley’s drawin’ up 
now. Harlowe’s retired. See!” 

''Retired?” muttered Dale to himself. "Ah! 
That will disarrange Kroupieve’s plans somewhat.” 

Dale was so absorbed in the thought as to how 
this astonishing news would affect himself that 
Joe felt the necessity of bringing Dale to a con- 
sciousness of his existence. 

" Say, Misser Dale! a woman come up las’ night 
to Misser Marsters’ house, wid a name that ud 
crack a rock — Rollemoff — or someting like dat.” 

" The ' off ’ has a Russian flavor,” laughed Dale 
quietly. " Suppose it should be the woman the 
prince is so anxious to find — the Countess Mura 
Naletoff.” 

" Dat’s right,” sententiously remarked Joe. 

" What’s right?” 

" De furrin woman’s name.” 

Dale sprang to his feet in a fever of excitement. 

"Joe, are you sure? ” 

" De same. Dat’s her.” 

Dale moved toward the house rapidly, much ex- 
cited, but, checking himself, turned and walked 
as rapidly back to Joe, standing over him. He 
began a question, but checked his impulse, silent 
a moment. Finally he indulged his habit and ex- 
pressed his thoughts aloud; 


52 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


“ The prince would, without doubt, consider the 
finding of the Countess Naletoff a real — a very- 
great service. Shall I drop everything here and 
go with the news to the prince, or shall I send 
it through Michaelovitch, with the chance that 
he will take all the credit of the discovery to 
himself.” 

Becoming suddenly conscious that Joe was re- 
garding him with curious interest. Dale pulled 
himself together in an effort to get rid of the 
lad. 

“ Joe,” he said, “ you are a mine of information. 
Now do me a favor. I expect a friend ” 

He was interrupted by the appearance of Rodion 
Michaelovitch, who entered by the path by which 
he had come. 

Never mind, for here he is now,” said Dale, 
and, advancing toward Rodion, exclaimed 
warmly : 

“ Ah ! My friend Rodion Michaelovitch ! ” 

“Ah!” replied the newcomer, just as warmly. 
“ I did see you from the carriageway, some dis- 
tance off, and did hasten hither.” 

“ Has the prince come? ” asked Dale eagerly. 

“ Precisely! He did arrive by a route different 
from the one we did take. He is even now dis- 
posed at his ’otel.” 

Joe, little concerned in the conversation, but 
much interested in the foreigner, slipped down 


EDGEMERE. 


53 


from his uncomfortable seat and threw himself on 
the grass where he could, at nearer range, and 
more at his convenience, study the stranger. In 
doing so he accomplished what he had no pur- 
pose in doing; he took himself out of the sight 
and notice of the two. 

“ Go to him at once,’' eagerly urged Dale, 
moved by two purposes — one, a real desire to for- 
ward the business of the prince; the other, to get 
Michaelovitch away as quickly as possible. 

“ And for what reason? ” asked the always sus- 
picious Rodion. 

‘‘ My brother-in-law,” replied Dale, is about 
to give up the practice of the law; he is to sign 
the papers of the dissolution of his firm to-day. 
The prince must see him, or Mr. Marsters, which 
would be much better, before that is done. This 
afternoon, even, may be too late. Go — urge him 
to call at once. I will do all I can to prevent this 
signing until after, at least, the prince has seen 
one or the other.” 

This Dale neither expected nor intended to do, 
but it served as a good reason why he should re- 
main, and had the appearance of influence and 
importance. 

Whether Rodion was deceived or not did not 
appear, but the wily spy knowing well, and much 
better than Dale, the importance his master 
attached to the securing of Harlowe as counsel. 


54 


AM AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


immediately moved off to depart, with the 
remark : 

“Ha! I will go at once! 

But Dale detained him. 

“Ah, Rodion!’' he said rather hesitatingly, 
“ the prince is — ah — much interested in a lady — 
ah — the Countess Naletoff, isn’t he? ” 

Rodion turned sharply on Dale, eying him sus- 
piciously a brief instant — so briefly, indeed, as to 
be hardly noticeable — and replied gayly: 

“Ah, my friend Dale! ze countess is a com- 
patriot of his rank. She is in America, an ze 
prince would find her zat he may pay his devoirs.” 

As a rule Michaelovitch spoke the English lan- 
guage with singular precision and accuracy. It 
was only in moments of agitation or excitement 
that the “ th ” over which he usually triumphed 
was too much for him. Dale knew this. 

“ But,” persisted Dale, “ he is particularly anx- 
ious to find this particular compatriot.” 

“ Ah, Dale! ” laughed Rodion, “ know you not 
our master yet? The prince is a gallant. Ze 
whole womankind does interest ze prince. To 
keep a record of his amours — it is hopeless.” 

Dale knew that Michaelovitch was trying to 
mislead him and was much annoyed. 

“ Hum! ” he said. “ That’s all, is it? Well, if 
that is the case, then there is no urgency in my 
information.” 


EDGEMERE. 55 . 

Rodion was interested. He strove hard to 
appear indifferent as he asked the question: 

“ You know something of her? 

“ I know where she is/’ replied Dale coolly. 

Rodion was intensely interested. 

“ She is here — at a neighbor’s house — now.” 

This information, coming so unexpectedly, and 
on the eve of extensive preparations for the 
tracing of the lady, overturned Michaelovitch’s 
composure. 

The Countess Naletoff!” he exclaimed; 
“ impossible! ” 

Going eagerly to Dale he caught him by the 
lapel of the coat, pleading insinuatingly. 

“ Tell me what you know? ” 

Dale had, in the beginning, intended to tell 
Michaelovitch all he had learned and how, but, 
annoyed by the spy’s contemptuous effort at mis- 
leading him, who not even tried to conceal the pur- 
pose of his words, he now yielded to the caprice of 
withholding further information. So, gently dis- 
engaging himself from Rodion’s almost frenzied 
clutch, he stepped back a few steps and replied 
tauntingly: 

Devoirs, hey! Well, Rodion, if you reflect 
your master’s anxiety to pay his devoirs, it must 
be great. The countess is here, but you will best 
serve your master by going to him at once and 
urging him to come without delay.” 


56 


A T AMEJilCAN CA VALIER. 


Rodion, too experienced in intrigue and diplo- 
macy not to realize that he had made a mistake in 
his contemptuous rejection of Dale’s tender for 
confidence, and that the eagerness into which he 
had been betrayed in his effort to obtain the secret 
his master so much desired had given Dale an in- 
creased idea of the value of his information, 
abandoned further effort. Believing that Dale 
withheld the exact and full information in the hope 
of a large reward, he hurried off; determined that 
the news of the discovery of the countess, if not 
her exact whereabouts, should be first communi- 
cated to the prince by himself. 

“ I go wit speed,” he said, and disappeared. 

Dale watched him go with a laugh. 

“ Devoirs, indeed! ” he said aloud. “ I do not 
believe that the prince keeps spies in his employ 
to find ‘ compatriotic ’ ladies to whom he may pay 
his devoirs, all the same. One thing is certain. 
The prince is very anxious to find the countess. 
Why? That I don’t know, and will not learn 
when I take him the information. I fear that the 
accomplished prince does not repose full confi- 
dence in his friend, James Dale, Esq.” 

Say! ” exclaimed Joe, rising from the grass. 
“ Youse can’t retain Harlowe for no new case.” 

Dale had forgotten the very existence of the 
boy, and he started at the sound, muttering: 


EDGEMERE, 


57 


That lad is all ears and understanding/' 

He took a bill from his pocket, and, extending 
it to Joe, said: 

‘‘ Here is a plunk or two. Oblige me by not 
saying anything of what you've heard here." 

Joe took the bill with a knowing wink and went 
his way, saying: 

Marsters must be shoutin' fur me by dis time. 
So-long, Misser Dale." 

“ By-by, Joe," responded Dale absently. “Hum! 
hum! hum! " he went on when alone. “ The situa- 
tion is interesting. Matters are whirling about 
me that I touch without understanding. Chester 
is giving up the law. Why? Can he have re- 
ceived that foreign appointment which he 
expected when his friend Williams was made Sec- 
retary of State? And the prince and the countess? 
Kroupieve has a purpose back of this treaty with 
Russia. Is the countess concerned in that? And 
who is she? And how is it that a Russian lady of 
noble rank is the guest of John Marsters, member 
of the firm of Harlowe & Marsters, whom the 
prince wants as his lawyers, and yet does not know 
the relations of the countess and that firm? And 
I am in the employ of the prince, and brother-in 
law to the firm. It's a muddle of large dimen- 
sions. How do I know that I am not running 
counter to the interests of those whose interests 


58 AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 

it is not my interest to run counter to? I 
shouldn’t wonder if I’ve become involved in one of 
those Russian intrigues which usually wind up in 
destroying everybody concerned.” 

He walked off to the house, bolder by reason of 
the confusion in which he found himself. 


CHAPTER V. 


THE FATTED CALF. 

As Dale reached the foot of the short flight of 
steps that led to the veranda, the door of the house 
was suddenly flung open and Flossie appeared. 

Though startled at first, in an instant she recog- 
nized her father, and, with a scream of delight, 
she flew over the veranda, clearing the steps at a 
bound, and landed in her father’s arms, crying, 
^^Dad! dad! dad!” 

'' Flossie! ” he cried in return, and after 
embracing her again and again, he held her off 
that he might look at her, but, finding that his 
eyes were growing moist, he embraced her again 
until he could regain self-command. Then he 
held her off, eying her critically and admiringly. 

“Why! why! why!” he exclaimed, “what a 
charming creature! A young lady! Positively! 
Dem it! Miss Dale, your most devoted.” 

He bowed with exaggerated deference. 

“There, there, dad!” said Flossie, embarrassed 
by her father’s openly expressed and sincere ad- 
miration, and placing her little white hand over 
his mouth, where it rivaled the whiteness of his 


59 


6o 


A AT AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


mustache. “ Don’t burst into tears over my 
growth in three years; I couldn’t help it. Come 
and sit down. Don’t let us go into the house 
yet. It is much nicer out here in the air. Come 
and sit down and tell me where you’ve been and 
what you’ve done.” 

Thus, chattering like a magpie, she drew him 
across the lawn to the settee. 

It was plain to be seen that the family regarded 
the lawn on the seaward front as part of the house, 
even to the extent of receiving guests there. 

Having placed her father in his seat, Flossie 
climbed on his knee, as she had always been ac- 
customed to do, and quite as if it were a few hours 
since they were parted. 

Do you know,” she went on, ‘‘ that it was only 
to-day that I wrote you a letter — a real pretty 
letter — in which I asked you to come home, for 
I was longing to see you. I haven’t even mailed 
it, and here you are.” 

She took his mustache by the ends, pulled it 
back, and kissed him. 

You came home sooner than you meant to, 
didn’t you? When did you get back? ” 

This was an awkward question for Dale. He 
did not want to admit that he had been back three 
weeks without even announcing his arrival. By 
an adroit turn he apparently answered the ques- 
tion without doing so. 


THE FATTED CALF. 


6l 


Flossie/' he said, ‘‘ regard your parent with 
respect. He is in this country on a special mis- 
sion of state." 

Flossie looked up with violet eyes dancing with 
merriment, and burst into a ringing laugh. 

Dale looked down in surprise, assuming an air 
of offended dignity. 

‘‘ You are mirthful, my daughter! ” 

“ A mission? " laughed Flossie, hardly able to 
articulate by reason of laughter. “ You? It’s 
preposterous! You a missionary? ’’ 

A whatawary!” exclaimed Dale, genuinely 
astounded. A high mission of state is what I 
said — likewise solemn and lucrative." 

He took a large roll of bills from his pocket, 
displaying it to Flossie. 

See! the results. And I’ve brought you lots 
of pretty things from France, Egypt, Turkey, 
Bulgaria, and Russia." 

Oh, dad!" 

She flung her arms around his neck, saying: 

Where are they? Let’s get them." 

When Dale, in danger of being strangled by her 
enthusiasm, could release himself, he replied: 

“Wait! wait! They are in my trunks. Miss 
Impatience." 

Then he asked, sincerely and earnestly: 

“ Do you think Aunt Melinda will let me in? ’’ 

Florence replied with a doubtful shrug of her 


62 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


shoulders and a lifting of the eyebrows, as if to say 
nothing could be predicated of her aunt. 

Somewhat cast down, Dale asked another 
question: 

“ How is the dear old girl, anyway? ” 

“ Oh,” answered his daughter, in a hopeless 
tone, “ she’s well,” adding, as if it were one of 
the crosses she must bear patiently: She 

always is.” 

“ And,” persisted Dale timorously, lowering 
his voice, “ as always, is she just a little — ahem! — 
rigid, so to speak? ” 

Flossie nodded her head in the same hopeless 
way. 

And Uncle Chester? ” 

The girl’s face brightened. 

“ As always — good and loving,” she answered 
promptly. “ But you don’t tell me about your- 
self — your travels.” 

“ There isn’t much to tell — that is, all at once 
and on demand,” said Dale. “ When that wan- 
dering fit came on three years ago 

“ Uncle said you had soiiie money,” the girl 
interrupted as she settled herself to be entertained, 
“ and burned to spend it.” 

“Truth is a virtue, -undoubtedly,” replied her 
father, “ but, like most virtues, unpleasant when 
in operation. Well,” he continued, “ I went 
straight to France, where I fell in with some jolly 


THE FATTED CALF, 63 

Americans, and went as far as Cairo with them. 
They went up the Nile; I didn’t.’’ 

Flossie looked up inquiringly. 

My money had given out.” 

‘'Oh! what did you do?” This sympa- 
thetically. 

“ Resorted to my heels.” 

“ Ran away? ” 

“ No; I danced and sang at the Cafe Chantant 
in Cairo.” 

“ Lovely! ” 

“ Yes; I translated my latest songs into French. 
Fll sing them to you when I can, where Aunt 
Melinda can’t hear me.” 

Flossie laughed. 

“ When Aunt Melinda hears anything in 
French she thinks it’s wicked,” she said. “ But 
did you make any money? ” 

“ More than I hoped.” 

“Delightful! That’s what you did in London 
once.” 

“ Yes; my heels and voice are my bank of last 
resort when Fm traveling.” 

“ Did anyone find you out? ” 

“ Oh, no ! Wigs, grease-paint, and poverty 
were a sufficient disguise. So, saltatorial industry 
having replenished my purse, I wandered to Con- 
stantinople, where I fell in with Prince Kroupieve, 
a Russian nobleman, and with him I went to 


i 


t4 AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 

Russia, and through him I’m back again in this 
country with a pocket full of money. And there 
you are.” 

Charming! ” exclaimed Flossie, again flinging 
her arms about her father’s neck and kissing 
him. “ Uncle Chester will be glad, too.” 

Will he? ” asked Dale eagerly, highly pleased. 

Yes, indeed! He likes you, though he does 
say you lack purpose in life.” 

Dale pulled a wry face, not liking the criticism, 
but he rallied: 

'' I lack purpose? How mistaken he is! I 
have one purpose I pursue steadily, and that is to 
get all the pleasure there is in life out of it.” 

He took Flossie’s hands in his own, looking 
into her eyes: 

But now about you? Heart-whole yet?” 

Flossie hung her head, nodding affirmatively, 
but with a doubtful air. 

“ Not quite, eh? ” pursued her father. ‘‘ Prince 
Charming has come? ” 

“ Oh,” replied Flossie scornfully, Aunt Me- 
linda has settled it for me. There’s a Miss Sissy 
around here, and she has chosen him.” 

'' And Miss Flossie has not? ” 

Flossie looked away, but her father v/as per- 
sistent. 

Then there is someone? ” 

'' Well,” said the honest Flossie reluctantly. 


THE FATTED CALF. 


65 


not as if she were withholding confidence, but 
rather as if she were in doubt, “ well, there is Tom 
— but 

“ Tom who? ” asked Dale, greatly interested. 

“ Bentley. He's one of uncle’s students.” 

Is he nice? ” 

‘‘ Real nice and very handsome, but — oh, 
bother! Let’s find the family.” 

Flossie rose, and, taking her father’s hand, 
pulled him unresistingly to his feet. 

“You must be on your best behavior, dad, 
with Aunt Melinda. You know she’s so queer.” 

Before Dale could reply a middle-aged gentle- 
man bustled in, followed by Joe. 

“ Where’s Harlowe? ” he asked, and, his eyes 
falling on Dale, he answe^-ed himself: “ Oh, there 
he is! No, it isn’t, either.” 

He bustled up nearer to discover who it was, 
for evidently the figure was familiar. 

“Why, it’s Dale!” he exclaimed, surprise and 
pleasure in his tone, while his face brightened with 
a smile. “ Hello, Dale! Where did you turn up 
from so unexpectedly? How are you?” 

He took Dale’s hand, shaking it warmly and 
cordially. 

“ I’m well, old man,” replied Dale, much 
pleased by the manner of his greeting. “ So are 
you, by your looks.” 

As they stopped to shake hands Flossie went 


66 


AN- AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


toward the house, where she was joined by Tom 
Bentley, who had entered after the others. 

“ Never better,” replied Marsters. “ When did 
you get home? Just got here, I suppose.” 

Without waiting for a reply, Marsters asked 
Bentley if the papers were all there, and without 
waiting for an answer to that question went to 
the table, with the remark: 

“ ril wager Harlowe hasn’t even looked at 
them yet. Here’s his cashbook.” 

He opened it and looked over its pages. 

‘‘Wonderful!” he exclaimed. “Dale, here’s 
something truly remarkable.” 

Dale joined him at the table. 

“ Harlowe’s cashbook balances. It actually 
agrees with mine. Hang it! I thought his cash- 
book would give me an excuse to delay things for 
several days.” 

“ Who is the old duffer? ” asked Tom of Flossie, 
pointing to Dale. 

It was a most unfortunate question, for Flossie, 
in great resentment, drew herself up with all the 
dignity she could command, and informed Tom: 

“ The old duffer, Mr. Bentley, is my father.” 

With her head high in the air she walked away 
from him, with as much stateliness as she could 
assume. 

“Lord!” cried Tom, “what a break I’ve 
made.’’ 


THE FATTED CALF. 


67 


And Joe was so delighted with Bentley’s blun- 
der that he turned somersaults and cartwheels 
innumerable. 

“ Seen Harlowe yet? ” asked Mr. Marsters of 
Dale. 

“ Not yet.” 

Come, dad,” pleaded Flossie, taking the hand 
of her father, “ we’ll find Uncle Chester and Aunt 
Melinda.” 

One moment, Flossie,” said Dale, detaining 
her by the hand; and, turning to Mr. Marsters, 
said: You will have a caller this morning, 

Marsters — the Prince Kroupieve.” 

Mr. Marsters stood upright in his surprise. 

Prince Kroupieve? Here? ” 

“ Do you know him? ” asked Dale, surprised in 
his turn. 

No,” guardedly replied Marsters. I have 
never met the Prince Kroupieve.” 

Dale looked keenly at Marsters, evidently striv- 
ing to gather some intelligence as to the “ mud- 
dle,” as he called it, for he had thought it strange 
that Michaelovitch should manifest so much sur- 
prise over the presence of the Countess Naletoff 
in that neighborhood, and now here was Marsters, 
whose guest the countess was, evincing equal sur- 
prise over the presence of the prince. 

He did not express his thoughts, but merely 
said: 


68 


AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


“ A fine fellow! Treat him well, will you? His 
call will be on business — business which I am sure 
you will regard as highly important. I was sent 
here to pave the way for his call. You’ll see him, 
won’t you? ” 

“ Oh, yes! ” replied Mr. Marsters with a quiet, 
shrewd smile. I’ll see him.” 

“ He’s a most important figure in his own coun- 
try,” continued Dale, “ a nobleman of the highest 
rank and great power — an intimate friend of the 
Czar.” 

He turned to Flossie without waiting for fur- 
ther remarks from Marsters, and said: 

“ Now, Flossie, we’ll go.” 

Together they fairly skipped off into the house. 

“ Comical dog, that Dale! ” commented Mr. 
Marsters as his eyes followed them into the house. 

“An irreclaimable Bohemian! But you can’t 
help liking him. And there’s no wrong in him.” 

He went back to the table, pulling at the lobe 
of his left ear, a favorite trick when thinking. 

“ Hum! The Prince Kroupieve! Now, where 
did he run across that Russian? I believe if the 
Emperor of China were to visit us. Dale would 
turn up as his most intimate friend.” 

Dismissing his thoughts with a gesture imply- 
ing perplexity, he turned his attention to the 
business which had brought him to Edgemere. 

“ Where’s the release? ” he asked of Bentley, 


THE FATTED CALF. 


69 


who handed it to him. “ Now, Bentley,” he con- 
tinued, '' you bring the countess here, but take 
care that Harlowe does not see her until I tell 
you.” 

“ ril be careful, sir,” replied Tom, going toward 
the path. 

Mr. Marsters took from his pocket his spec- 
tacles, and placed them on his nose. 

“ Pshaw! ” he exclaimed, as he took them off 
impatiently, ''my long-sighted glasses! Joe, I 
left my reading glasses on the table in the library 
at home. Run and get them, or Fll do no busi- 
ness to-day.” 

Joe moved off, saying in a low tone: "Well, 
that wouldn’t hurt me if you didn’t.” And, rais- 
ing his voice, he called loudly after Tom. 

By this time Mr. Marsters’ attention had been 
attracted to the cabinet. 

" What is this lumbering up the table? ” he 
asked aloud, opening the cabinet and looking in. 
" Bottles, vials — filled and unfilled; syringes, 
sponges — what does Harlowe do with all this 
truck? And his desk at the office is littered with 
bottles like these.” 

Closing the cabinet, he wen| to a chair and sat 
down to await the return of Joe. 

" I wonder,” he said, after a little thought, " if I 
can persuade Harlowe to take one more case. It 
certainly is worthy his best efforts.” 


70 


AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


He was silent for a moment or two. 

“ It is singular,” he said aloud, “ that Prince 
Kroupieve should make his appearance on this 
day of all days, for he cannot know that the Coun- 
tess Naletoff is here.” 

Quite right, Mr. Marsters, for, if the prince had 
known, his feet would have been turned in the 
direction of your house, and not in the direction 
of Edgemere, as they were at that moment. 



i 


CHAPTER VI. 


Rodion’s surprising news. 

Whether it was from a desire to conceal his 
movements, an effort to escape from his own im- 
portance and celebrity, or that he thought it did 
not comport with the dignity of a prince of a 
great empire to seek rather than be sought, the 
fact is that Prince Kroupieve registered himself 
at the modest little hotel in the modest little vil- 
lage of Northport as Mr. Alexis. 

But whatever he was striving to conceal, one 
thing was made plain to those closely attached to 
him, and that was that he had placed a very high 
value upon the relations he sought to establish 
with the firm of Harlowe & Marsters, or specifi- 
cally, with Mr. Harlowe. 

It was to this hotel, where the prince was wait- 
ing the result of the visit of Dale and Michaelo- 
vitch to Edgemere, that the latter hastened on 
leaving the former. 

The spy burst in upon the prince in no little 
excitement, to that dignitary’s astonishment, for 
he was accustomed to a more orderly approach 
from those who served him. 


71 


72 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


'' Master! exclaimed Rodion, breathless from 
haste, “ the Countess Naletoff ” 

The prince sprang to his feet so suddenly as to 
bring Michaelovitch to a full stop. 

'‘Yes! yes! yes!’’ he cried eagerly and impa- 
tiently. 

“ — is found.” 

“ Ah!” 

The interjection was one of incredulity. It 
seemed to the prince that Northport was the last 
place in which to learn the whereabouts of the 
countess. 

“ Where? ” he asked sharply. 

“ Here.” 

“ You have found the countess here? You have 
seen her? ” 

“ No, Your Excellency, but the countess is 
here.” 

The prince laughed scornfully. 

“ My poor Rodion, you have become be- 
wildered.” 

“ No, your excellency; it was the Dale who dis- 
covered her.” 

“Dale?” in great scorn. “Why, he knows 
her not.” 

“ True, master! But the Dale is not ignorant 
that such a person as the Countess Mura Naletoff 
does live ” 


kOblON'S BURPIUSING MEWG. 73 

“ — for he did ask me if the prince was not much 

interested in the lady ” 

“ Ah!’^ 

“ — and much desired to find her.’' 

“Ah! How learned he that? Your reply was 
what? ” quickly queried the prince sternly. 

“ That the countess was a compatriot of the 
prince’s rank, to whom he would pay his devoirs.” 

The prince nodded approvingly, and said: 

“ That was well done, Rodion. And then? ” 

“ He told me that the lady was here — at a 
neighbor’s house — in this place.” 

“Very singular, truly!” was the prince’s com- 
ment; and again he asked sharply: “Well then, 
at what house? Where? ” 

“ That he would not tell me.” 

“ He — the man in my pay — would not tell. He 
would conceal the news from me? ” 

The prince was undeniably angry, and Michaelo- 
vitch seized the opportunity to deliver a stab 
in the back to Dale, while apparently defending 
him. 

“ Be not angry, master! The Dale but waits 
to tell you. He did me the honor to disbelieve 
my explanations of Your Excellency’s desire to 
find the countess, and does put a high value on his 
discovery. So, he reserves the full information for 
your own ears, in the hope of the reward to 
follow.” 


74 


AN- AMERICAN CA VaLIER. 


The prince caught the note of bitterness in the 
voice of his spy, and replied with grim humor: 

“ And which will not be divided with you. 
Thus the honest man is often robbed of his just 
dues. And in the meantime she may escape us.'' 

'' I think not, Your Excellency," quietly re- 
marked the spy, steeling himself against the sar- 
casm of the prince's words. 

After pacing up and down the small apartment 
the prince said: 

“ I will wrest it all from the Dale when he 
comes, and that you must see is soon. And the 
lawyer, Harlowe? What of him? " 

‘‘ Here also the Dale is useful," said Rodion, 
adding after a brief pause, “ and urgent." 

The prince looked up inquiringly. 

“ The Dale has learned that Mr.* Harlowe is 
about to retire from the law, bringing the matter 
to the end by signing papers to-day." 

‘^Ah!" 

“ The Dale, therefore, is urgent that you call 
without delay — before the signing is done." 
“Ah!" 

“He does urge you go this morning, for he fears 
this afternoon may be too late." 

“ I will go at once." 

“ And he thinks you will do better to see Mr. 
Marsters first." 


“Wherefore?" 


RODION SURPRISING NEWS. 7S 

Rodion shrugged his shoulders and replied: 

“ It is the Harlowe who would retire. The 
Marsters does not want it. The Dale thinks the 
Marsters more open to appeal.” 

The prince drew himself up haughtily. 

It is the Prince Kroupieve who makes the offer 
in the name of Russia. Mr. Harlowe will not 
decline so great an honor. Get me a carriage. I 
will go to Mr. Harlowe.” 

As Michaelovitch left the room the prince seated 
himself. He was perplexed over the discovery of 
the countess in that out-of-the-way place. Were 
it possible that she could have knowledge of his 
business with Mr. Harlowe, he might suppose that 
she was there in a counter effort. But she could 
not, for he had made a confidant of no one. Dale 
merely knew that he, the prince, desired to retain 
his brother-in-law; but as to the nature of the 
business nothing. As to Michaelovitch, such con- 
fidence as had been bestowed on him was only 
given at a time when it was impossible for him to 
communicate it. But it certainly was a singular 
coincidence. His meditations were interrupted 
by Michaelovitch’s announcement of the carriage 
to convey him to Edgemere. 

The spy accompanied the prince to the carriage, 
and was instructed to begin a search for the count- 
ess without delay, independently of the informa- 
tion to be obtained from Dale. 


76 


AJV AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


Returning to the veranda of the hotel, after the 
departure of the prince, he lit a fresh cigar and sat 
down to think how he could conduct the search 
to which he was commanded. Indeed, he sat so 
long in the enjoyment of his cigar and succeeding 
ones that he saw the prince return from Edgemere 
and go to his room before he had formulated a 
plan. 

The return of the prince reminded him that his 
instructions were urgent, and he was about to set 
out blindly, when he saw, turning the corner above 
him, a light buckboard wagon, on which were 
seated a young girl and an elderly man. 

The man was Dale. He threw away his cigar 
and hurried in pursuit. 


CHAPTER VII. 


THE OFFER OF RUSSIA. 

When the prince had been driven upon the 
grounds of Edgemere, his driver, instead of go- 
ing to the main entrance of the house, and evi- 
dently familiar with the habits and customs of 
the family, ‘drew up at a path running beside the 
house. In his desire to be helpful he advised the 
prince to go to the seaward front of the house. 

Thus it was that he found Mr. Marsters en- 
grossed in thought, at ease upon a garden chair. 

It was not, indeed, until the prince spoke that 
Mr. Marsters became aware of his presence. 

Pardon! said the prince, lifting his hat with 
that grand air which was his most attractive 
possession. “Pardon! Do I address the distin- 
guished Mr. Harlowe? 

Mr. Marsters rose, and advanced politely, reply- 
ing courteously: 

“ No, sir; but Mr. Harlowe is at home. Won’t 
you walk in? ” 

“ Perhaps, sir,” said the prince, as he took from 
his pocket his cardcase, “ I have the honor to 
address Mr. Marsters? ” 


77 


78 


AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


Mr. Marsters bowed in deference to the respect- 
ful tone of the mention of his name, and admitted 
he was the person. 

“ Permit me, sir, to introduce myself,’' and the 
prince extended his card to Mr. Marsters, who, 
taking it, glanced at it with a quickly repressed 
start. 

“ Prince Kroupieve!” he muttered in surprise, 
for the prince’s manner and appearance did not 
accord with his preconceptions of the man. He 
politely motioned the prince to a seat, who 
attributed the surprise of Mr. Marsters to a recog- 
nition of his own celebrity. 

“ If you will grant me the honor of an inter- 
view,” the prince said, as he crossed the lawn to 
the chair indicated, “ it will, I imagine, serve every 
purpose of my call; and I will be so brief as the 
importance of my mission permits.” 

He seated himself with great dignity the while 
Mr. Marsters was thinking what that mission could 
be, so deeply indeed, that the prince was forced to 
speak again. 

“Have I your permission to proceed?” he 
asked, as if he were the humblest of persons. 

Mr. Marsters emerged from his speculations 
with a hasty, “ At your pleasure, prince,” and 
bringing a chair into near relations with the 
visitor, sat down. 

“ You, sir, are of course aware,” the prince 


THE OFFER OF RUSSIA. 


n 


began with a bow, “ that articles of extradition 
treaty are now pending between this great 
country and the Empire of Russia. My august 
master, the Emperor (and the prince lifted 
his hat, to Mr. Marsters’ surprise, for, looking 
around, he saw no one else on the ground) “ sub- 
limely anxious, believes that such a treaty will 
make firm and enduring that friendship which 
exists between our two great governments, and 
which has existed since the days of your Civil War, 
at which time it was possible for the revered father 
of my master to render a service to the govern- 
ment of the immortal Lincoln.’' 

The prince uncovered again, and Mr. Marsters, 
by this time realizing that the prince’s act was 
one of respect to a great name, did the same. 

“ His servant, myself,” continued the prince, 
“ acting with the embassy of Russia, am a repre- 
sentative with special powers. Sir, I am here 
now, with your acquiescence, to retain the firm of 
Harlowe & Marsters as counsel to the Russian 
embassy, to advance such treaty to a speedy 
consummation.” 

It cannot be denied that the tone and manner 
of the prince, as he concluded his brief oration, 
conveyed the idea that he was conferring a great 
honor upon that firm, and that if the firm did not 
fall over itself in its haste to accept the retainer, 
it at least would do so promptly and gladly. 


8o 


AN AMERICAN CAVAUER. 


Perhaps Mr. Marsters felt that the selection of 
his firm was a great honor, and that the fact that 
the Empire of Russia was enrolled among its 
clients would lift the reputation of that legal firm 
high among all the legal firms, not alone those of 
the city of New York, where it had its home, but 
those of the civilized earth. Undoubtedly that 
was his thought, for he looked gravely on the 
prince, and his manner took on an added dignity 
as he replied: 

“ The firm of Harlowe & Marsters is greatly 
honored, prince, but,” he pronounced these words 
with great weight, “the firm ceases to exist to-day 
by the retirement of Mr. Harlowe.” 

Of course the prince was prepared for this 
announcement, yet he received it with every indi- 
cation of astonishment and disappointment. 

“ You distress me,” he said. 

“ Since I am here at this moment,” continued 
Mr. Marsters rather regretfully than otherwise, 
“ to complete the act of dissolution, you will per- 
ceive the firm cannot accept retainers.” 

“ Perhaps, sir,” insinuated the prince, “ Mr. 
Harlowe might be induced to defer his retire- 
ment until such time as the treaty may be pro- 
mulgated.” 

Mr. Marsters slowly and doubtfully shook his 
head. His ambition was touched, and it was with 
sincere regret that he appreciated that honor de- 


THE OFFER OF RUSS/A. 


8l 


manded that the proffer should be firmly and 
instantaneously declined, not because of the im- 
pending dissolution of his firm, but upon the much 
more important ground of a previous proffer to 
'which he, if not Mr. Harlowe, had at least com- 
mitted himself; and he was further troubled by the 
consideration that a strict regard for honor de- 
manded that the prince should be informed of that 
reason. 

Looking the prince straight in the eyes, speak- 
ing impressively, yet guardedly, he said: 

“ I am myself anxious, and with little hope, that 
Mr. Harlowe should undertake one more case, 
which, were he to do, might interfere with your 
wishes and demands.” 

It was a matter of no little wonder afterward, 
and to none more than Prince Kroupieve him- 
self, that so astute a diplomatist and past-master 
of the art of indirection, did not appreciate at its 
full significance this reply of Mr. Marsters. True 
he did not know at that time that the Countess 
Naletoff was a guest of Mr. Marsters, and it was 
also true that he relied upon the importance of the 
connection he was offering, the value of which he 
exactly estimated, to tip the scales in his favor. 
As it was, he contented himself with merely urg- 
ing his point. 

'' May I ask, sir,” he said, “ that you will sub- 
mit my proposition to the distinguished gentle- 


82 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


man, and, if he does not yield at once, ask for me 
the honor of a personal interview? ” 

“ Without your request I should have done 
that, for I fully appreciate the great importance 
of your tender.” Mr. Marsters yielded that much, 
though he was determined to incline his influence 
in the other direction. 

“ Then, sir,” said the prince rising, wholly mis- 
led, and believing that he had captured Mr. 
Marsters through his ambition, “ I shall hold my- 
self in readiness at my hotel to obey promptly a 
summons, in the event that a personal interview 
with Mr. Harlowe becomes necessary. I shall 
rely upon you, sir, should Mr. Harlowe not agree 
at once to become the counsel to Russia, to pre- 
vent him from reaching an irrevocable conclusion, 
until I can myself present my offer to him.” 

Mr. Marsters bowed gravely and attended the 
prince as he walked across the lawn. As he 
reached the path by which he had come, the prince 
turned and with his grand air said: 

I thank you, sir, for your great courtesy. 
With regret, I bid you adieu.” 

He turned and walked away. Mr. Marsters 
stood "Still, watching him until he disappeared 
beyond the house, and then shaking his head, he 
said in a low voice: 

''And you want to retain us for another case, 
which you have not had the frankness or honesty 


THE OFFER OF RUSSIA. 83 

to declare at this time. Oh, no, prince! not if I 
can prevent it.” 

Melinda Harlowe came from the house and Mr. 
Marsters met her at the foot of the steps. She 
was much displeased; her manner showed that 
clearly, and affected the tone of her greeting of 
Marsters though he did not intend it. 

Oh, you are here, John,” she said, extending 
her hand. 

“ Where is Chester? ” he asked as he took it. 

The cause of her annoyance was manifested. 

“ Making that precious Dale welcome. We are 
to have him on our hands now.” 

Marsters retained her hand, patting it gently, 
and said reproachfully: 

“ The husband of your dead sister, Melinda; the 
father of Flossie.” 

It seemed as if he were gently patting her hand 
to mitigate the sting of the reproach. 

Pshaw! ” she replied, ashamed of her asperity, 
and all the more because Marsters had found 
something in it to reproach. “ How you all mis- 
judge me. I dislike him, to be sure, but only 
because of his influence upon Flossie. He en- 
courages her and is her partner in all sorts of 
frivolities. But there, let him go. What is the 
meaning of this dissolution of partnership? ” 

Mr. Marsters, still retaining her hand, led her 
across the lawn, and, after bowing her into a seat 


84 


AJV AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


with a courtliness that seemed a part of himself, 
yet was withal old-fashioned, replied: 

“ Chester abandons the law. It is bad — very 
bad, but I cannot prevent it. Not yet forty, and 
such a great advocate! ” 

What reason does he give? Is it a foreign 
appointment?” asked Melinda. 

“Appointment?” repeated Marsters. “Oh, 
no! He has given up all idea of that.” 

“ Yet he wished it last winter,” persisted Me- 
linda. 

“ True,” replied Marsters, leaning against the 
back of the settee. “ When his old college chum, 
Williams, was made Secretary of State, Harlowe 
did expect that a foreign mission would be offered 
him. He was too proud, however, to admit it, or 
to ask for the place.” 

He laughed as he went on. 

“ The only time Harlowe was ever seriously 
angry with me was when I told the Secretary that 
such an appointment would be acceptable. But 
now, months having elapsed and no offer made, 
he has dismissed all hopes.” 

“ Does he intend to marry? ” Melinda asked 
this question sharply and abruptly. 

Marsters was startled. 

“ Marry? Harlowe? Pshaw! No; he says he 
will drudge no more — that he has made all the 
money he wants.” 


THE OFFER OF RUSSIA. 


85 


‘‘ And a great scientific discovery to which he 
will devote his life,” added Melinda, by way of 
continuing the sentence. “ But I fear a woman.” 

Marsters chuckled. 

“ Egad! ” he cried, much amused; “ you always 
have.” 

Melinda resented the laugh and defended 
herself. 

“ And because I have,” she retorted sharply, 
“ I have protected him from their designs.” 

“ By always having at hand a woman more 
charming than the one he was devoting himself 
to. Your strategy has commanded my admi- 
ration.” 

It is no laughing matter,” replied Melinda, 
seriously offended. “ It has made my life one of 
serious responsibility.” 

Marsters' face became grave, and his voice took 
on a serious tone. 

“Ah, Melinda! he would have been far happier 
had you let him marry some good woman.” 

“Possibly,” she answered severely; “but he 
had a duty — a mission — as I had.” 

“ A mission which has influenced all our lives.” 
There was a regretful, tender echo in his voice. 
“ A mission which has led you to refuse to become 
my wife; a mission which has consigned us both 
to lonely lives. A mistake, Melinda — a mistake.” 

Melinda was staggered by the unexpected, if 


86 


AM AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


familiar, attack, and it required several moments 
before she could rally herself, and when she did it 
was apparent that she was on the defensive. 

“ From a selfish standpoint, perhaps,'' she said; 
“ but there is a higher view. You know what was 
found when Sister Lucy died. Her brother 
Chester, not her husband, had supported their 
household." 

Marsters sighed. 

“ They were very happy together." 

“ Like two birds in the woods, looking upon 
life as seriously. Lucy left a child two years old. 
If Dale could not support a wife, could he care for 
a helpless babe? I took the child. My life has 
been devoted to her. What I did it was Chester's 
duty to do — remain unmarried and share in 
Flossie's care." 

Nol " firmly declared Marsters. “ I can't fol- 
low you. You have persuaded yourself to a wrong 
conclusion. Your real motive was a woman’s 
motive. You wanted to control a man’s life." 

Melinda was irritated. 

“ Do you mean " she began angrily. 

But Marsters interrupted her masterfully. 

“ The truth. Every woman strives to mold 
some man to her liking. When she succeeds, she 
despises him." 

Melinda ran away from the issue raised. 

Well," she said, changing the ground, “ to 


THE OF FEE OF RUSSIA. 


87 


marry now, at his time of life, would be folly. As 
to his scientific humbug — well, it serves to amuse 
him.^^ 

Suddenly she turned the flank of her antagonist. 

‘‘ You have a visitor at your house. Who is 
she? ’’ 

The Countess Naletoff.^' This indifferently. 

Melinda looked at Marsters keenly for a 
moment. 

“ What does it mean? Are you about to 
marry? ’’ 

Me? cried Marsters, startled out of his 

grammar. 

Then he became conscious that Melinda was 
regarding him with anxiety, and he was pleased 
with his perception. 

“ The Countess Naletoff,’’ he went on teasingly, 
“ is a charming woman — one who can excite re- 
grets for vanished youth. But, Melinda, don’t 
try to mold me. I don’t want to be despised by 
you. The countess is a client, in whose cause I 
hope to interest Harlowe.” 

“ Oh ! ” exclaimed Melinda weakly, much con- 
fused, to Marsters’ enjoyment. '' Well ” But 

what she was about to say was prevented by a 
bustle and noise on the veranda. 


CHAPTER VIIL 


MR. HARLOWE AND HIS DISCOVERY. 

The bustle on the veranda was occasioned by 
the coming of Mr. Harlowe, followed by Dale and 
Flossie, both of whom were filled with joy and 
delight. Though Melinda had viewed the return 
of Dale with displeasure, it was apparent that Mr. 
Harlowe found in it satisfaction, and was on 
hospitable thoughts intent.’' 

“ Go, get your trunks, old man! ” he cried, clap- 
ping Dale on the back heartily, to the great dis- 
gust of Melinda, “ and come here at once. Plenty 
of room!” 

He saw Mr. Marsters on the lawn with Melinda, 
and cried out: 

“Ah! there you are, Marsters! Be with you in 
a moment.” 

Turning to Dale, he continued: 

“ Now, hurry up, Dale! The buckboard is in 
front with a horse that goes on two legs when he 
can’t go on three. Flossie will go with you. So 
long as Chester K. Harlowe has a roof over his 
head, it shall shelter you, my boy.” 


MJi. HARLOWE AND HIS DISCOVERY. 89 

He descended the steps, followed by the de- 
lighted pair. 

“ Come along, then, Flossie! ” cried Dale. 

“ I’m to drive, dad,” said Flossie, as the pair 
skipped off and were lost to sight around the cor- 
ner of the house. 

“ There they go,” said Mr. Harlowe heartily, as 
he crossed the lawn to his partner and sister, “ the 
happiest and merriest pair in the universe; both 
children.” 

“ You are right,” decidedly said Melinda, with 
no little asperity. “ James Dale is nothing but a 
child; never was and never will be anything but a 
child.” 

‘‘ Oh,” replied Harlowe with a laugh, “ you 
can’t forgive James Dale the christening of 
Flossie.” 

Melinda, irritated and annoyed, protested by 
her manner, but Harlowe paid no attention to it. 

“ Marsters,” he asked, “ you never heard that 
story? ” 

Marsters was much amused. For years the per- 
sistent efforts to control everyone about her, and 
especially her brother, and his agile and adroit 
escape without quarrel or angry words, had been 
a source of great amusement to Marsters. He 
shook his head with a smile, though he was 
familiar with it. But he wanted to hear Harlowe 
tell it again, for it teased Melinda. 


90 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER, 


“ Now, Chester, you needn’t tell that story,’' 
said Melinda snappishly. 

“ Oh,” persisted Harlowe, “ an epoch in our 
family history. We must not allow it to be for- 
gotten. John, draw nigh and listen to the grew- 
some tale. When Flossie, then unnamed, came to 
us, Melinda wanted to call her after a sainted an- 
cestress, who died many years ago of single bless- 
edness, devotion to duty, and dyspepsia, and 
whose name was Jerusha. Dale, always wander- 
ing about the ends of the earth, you know, had 
just returned from a hobnobbing time with Ori- 
ental potentates, and wanted to call her Asia. 
Result — Melinda and he quarreled. Both were 
determined. The dispute was not settled when 
they lined up in front of the altar for the christen- 
ing. When the clergyman asked for the name, 
both spoke at once. One said Jerusha; the other 
said Asia. The simultaneous enunciation pro- 
duced an impression on the ear of the clergyman 
not unlike a composite photograph — a sound simi- 
lar to both names, yet wholly unlike. And, to the 
infinite disgust of Melinda, and the great delight 
of Dale, the child came out baptized Aspasia! ” 

Marsters burst into long and hearty laughter, 
in which Harlowe joined, but Melinda was very 
indignant. 

Well,” continued Harlowe, we couldn't call 
a little thing like that Aspasia, so she drifted into 


MR. HARLOWE AND HIS DISCOVERY. 9 1 

the pet name Dale had given her, and has grown 
up with it/’ 

‘‘ And you shamelessly aided him,” said Melinda 
pettishly. 

She rose from her seat and walked across the 
lawn. 

‘‘Jerusha!” cried Harlowe, ''how could I help 
it!” 

And then, with one of those quick transitions 
of moods so characteristic of the man, he said to 
his partner, in his man-of-af¥airs tone: 

" Well, Marsters, let us get at the papers.” 

" A room must be made ready for James Dale, 
I suppose,” said Melinda, as she went toward the 
house. 

She had yielded to the inevitable, for after wit- 
nessing the reception of Dale by her brother she 
saw the uselessness of struggling against his re- 
turn as an inmate of their family. 

" Let it be a comfortable one,” said Harlowe. 
" He has claims upon us.” 

" Claims! ” muttered Melinda, but in a tone not 
to be heard by her brother. " I wish I had the 
settling of the claims.” 

She went into the house, leaving her brother 
and lover together. 

The moment her back was turned Harlowe had 
attacked the papers with his usual energy and 
impetuosity. Marsters detained him. 


92 AN AMERICAN CAVALIER 

“ Harlowe,” he said, “ before we begin on those 
papers I’d like to talk to you about another 
matter.” 

“ Talk away, then,” said Harlowe, not lifting 
his head from the table over which he was bent. 

“ Prince Kroupieve called this morning.” 

The high title and the singularity of the name 
awakened Harlowe’s curiosity. He laid the 
papers out of his hand and gave his attention to 
Marsters. 

'^Prince Kroup — what?” he asked. ‘‘Who is 
this man whose name suggests a throat trouble? ” 

“ A Russian diplomat,” replied Marsters, mov- 
ing in the direction of a garden chair. 

“Ah!” exclaimed Harlowe, following Mars- 
ters from the table, and seating himself on the 
settee at ease, stretching out his legs, for he knew 
from Marsters’ manner there was an important 
communication to be made. “Ah! they do have 
a deal of throat trouble in Russia. I’d advise him 
to change his name. It’s ominous. Well, what 
does he want? ” 

“ To retain our firm as counsel to the Russian 
Embassy, in the interest of the treaty now pend- 
ing between the two countries — the Russian in- 
terest, of course.” 

Harlowe turned on Marsters a quick, keen, 
penetrative glance, in which the most active intel- 
ligence sparkled. 


MR. HA R LOWE AND HIS DISCO FERV. 93 

Ah, ha! ” he cried. “ A shrewd move — a very 
shrewd move. He has learned that the Secretary 
of State and I are old college chums. Well, Mars- 
ters, we cannot take the offer as a tribute to the 
standing or ability of our firm. He merely wants 
to make use of my intimacy with Williams, in 
order to obtain a sure and close approach to our 
Foreign Department.’^ 

Marsters smiled shrewdly, pleased that his part- 
ner had taken the communication in the spirit he 
had. 

However,” continued Harlowe carelessly, “ I 
take no new cases. You told him so, didn’t you? ” 

“ I told him,” replied Marsters guardedly, “ that 
we were about to dissolve partnership.” 

Harlowe nodded approvingly. 

“ What do they want counsel for? ” asked 
Harlowe. “ It’s the usual extradition treaty, pro- 
viding for the return of criminals, isn’t it?” 

The point was reached, in his intrigue against 
Harlowe’s further peace and leisure, when Mars- 
ters must put forward the powers of his mind. 

‘^And something more,” he said weightily. 

The treaty articles now pending contain a clause 
providing that an attempt against the life of the 
head of either government shall be considered not 
a political, but a criminal offense.” 

'' Well,” said Harlowe rather humorously, not 
having a great fancy for murder or assassination, 


94 AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

you will pardon me if I say that that clause seems 
to me to be rather commendable than otherwise.’' 

‘‘ Ah! ” and Marsters, coming to close quarters, 
put his foot upon the settee and bent over the 
reclining figure of Harlowe in his earnestness; 

but looking up the Russian criminal cpde, I 
find that almost anything can be construed into 
an attempt upon the life of the Czar — ^joining or 
persuading others to join a secret society, express- 
ing by word or writing opinions in oppositon to 
governmental policy, and,” becoming more im- 
pressive, “ the slightest relation to those things 
makes one accessory thereto.” 

Convenient for the Russian politicians,” was 
Harlowe’s brief and light comment. 

“ Why,” continued Marsters, sawing the air 
with his right hand, as was his wont when very 
earnest, ‘‘ why, there is a true bill of a young 
Russian who, believing in a parliamentary form 
of government for his country, and having written 
a pamphlet to that end, was charged with being 
accessory to a conspiracy against the life of the 
Czar, tried, convicted, and hung.” 

Having reached his climax, Marsters stepped 
back to better observe its effect upon Harlowe. 

''Oh!” said that gentleman, with incredulous 
scorn, " but our government will never construe 
an alleged crime in the light of the Russian crim- 
inal code.” 


MR, IIARLOWE AND HIS DISCO FERV. 


95 


Why not? ” promptly urged Marsters, since 
its provisions are included in the treaty articles? ” 

And you want me to take that side of the 
question? ’’ Harlowe stifled a yawn. 

“ I do not, indeed,’' said Marsters decidedly. 

Harlowe, finding himself wholly mistaken as to 
the end Marsters’ communication was tending, 
became interested, and turned to Marsters in- 
quiringly. 

Marsters answered the look by breaking ground 
for the real purpose he had in view. 

I have another case connected with this very 
treaty, and antagonistic to Kroupieve’s interest.” 

“ I won’t take that, either,” said Harlowe 
firmly and promptly, now perceiving Marsters’ 
true drift. 

I wish I could persuade you,” pleaded 
Marsters. 

‘‘ You can’t.” 

It is the case of a woman in distress — a young, 
handsome, fascinating woman.” 

Harlowe impulsively assumed a sitting position, 
shaking his head quizzically at Marsters, and said 
good-humoredly : 

“You old dog! You know you are attacking 
me on my weak side.” 

“ She is the Countess Naletoff.” 

“ You revel in titles this morning. It is a pretty 


name. 


96 


A AT AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


'' And she is as pretty as her name,” replied 
Marsters insinuatingly. ‘‘ Persecuted 

But Harlowe, rising to his feet, interrupted 
him. 

“ A strong appeal, John — pretty woman, dis- 
tressed female, persecuted — but it won’t do, John; 
it won’t do! ” 

Harlowe walked off a short distance quickly. 

Marsters followed him, with the remark: 

“ She is at my house now.” 

Harlowe turned quickly, with the wave of his 
hand, as if he would brush the persuasion aside, 
and said decidedly: 

. Keep her there, my boy. Don’t disturb my 
peace of mind.” 

'‘Let me tell you her story!” persistently 
pleaded Marsters. 

” Not a tell! ” said Harlowe. " I’m firm.” 

He stopped short as a new and eager light 
broke over his face; then saying, rather to him- 
self than to Marsters: “ That is, I will be.” 

He went quickly to the table, and opened the 
cabinet Joe had placed there, and took from it a 
bottle and a small syringe. He dipped the syringe 
in the bottle, filling it, and put the bottle back. 

" See that? ” he asked Marsters, holding before 
him the syringe. Then, lifting the skin of his 
wrist, he injected the liquid it contained. " I in- 
oculate myself with firmness.” 


MR. IlARLOWE AND HIS DISCOVER V. 97 

Marsters started forth in horror and alarm. 

“ For Heaven’s sake, Chester! ” he cried, re- 
proach mingling in his tones, “ you have not con- 
tracted the morphine habit? ” 

“No, sir!” replied Harlowe in profound dis- 
gust, returning the syringe to the cabinet, and 
taking out the bottle again. “ No, sir! This is 
my great scientific discovery. This is what will 
enroll my name among the world’s benefactors — 
Bacon, Harvey, Jenner, Koch ” 

“ Nonsense! ” ejaculated Marsters. 

“ Of course,” said Harlowe very earnestly, “ pio- 
neers must expect incredulity. Gallileo was 
persecuted, and Columbus reviled. See here, 
Marsters! What is the cause of the imperfections 
of mankind? It’s inherent weaknesses! Isn’t 
that so? ” 

“ Why, of course,” said Marsters, but with an 
air and tone of one who said to himself: “ I can 
admit that much, but won’t be entrapped any 
further.” 

“ Precisely! ” said Harlowe, taking firm hold of 
that much advantage in his proposed argument. 
“ Precisely! Now, if a man had at his command 
the means by which he could be firm when weak, 
yielding when obstinate, brave when timid, moral 
when immoral — in short, the right thing at the 
right time — he would always be successful, 
wouldn’t he? ” 


98 AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 

‘‘ Yes,” admitted Marsters, seating himself on 
the settee; but where is this wonderful means? ” 

“Here!” exclaimed Harlowe enthusiastically, 
patting the bottle he held. “ Here! my boy, 
here! ” 

“ Ridiculous! ” said Marsters. 

“ That’s right! ” exclaimed Harlowe in derision. 
“ Condemn first and listen afterward. Do you 
understand the germ theory of disease? ” 

Marsters admitted that he did to a limited de- 
gree, and leaned back prepared to listen to Har- 
lowe, for though he was perfectly aware of the 
eccentric streak in his partner’s composition, yet 
so often had great results come from that erratic 
and brilliant mentality, which in the beginning 
seemed to be based solely in eccentricity, that he 
had learned to listen patiently before he passed 
judgment. And he really did have a profound 
respect for the great side of Harlowe, when it was 
in operation uninfluenced by his eccentricities. 

“ Bacteria,” began Harlowe didactically, “ little 
creatures so minute that they cannot be seen with- 
out the aid of a microscope, get into the human 
system — blood, organs — and create disease. They 
float in the air, and we inhale them; they exist in 
the water, and we drink them. Certain kinds 
produce certain diseases — one kind smallpox, 
another cholera, another consumption. Now, 
scientific people have discovered that certain 


MR. HARLOWE AND HIS DISCO VERY. 99 

preparations called lymph serum, if injected into 
the blood, will kill these little creatures — and, of 
course, kill the disease. Jab ” — and he suited the 
action of the word — “ in goes one kind of lymph, 
and smallpox is cured; jab, in goes another kind 
of lymph, and the cholera hospitals are depop- 
ulated.’^ 

Marsters, closely attentive and with keen eyes 
upon Harlowe, muttered to himself: 

“ I come to do law business, and get a lecture 
on medicine.” 

“ Now,” continued Harlowe, warming to his 
subject, “ an advance has been made. A genius 
has found that, by inoculating the system with 
bichloride of gold, a drunkard becomes a sober, 
self-supporting member of society.” 

Marsters was one of those who firmly clung to 
the old-fashioned idea that inebriety was moral 
depravity, and not the result of a diseased condi- 
tion of the nerves or organs. So, in his disgust 
with the trend of Harlowe’s demonstration, he 
snarled out: 

“ You want to hunt up that genius.” 

Harlowe stopped short, casting a shooting 
glance at Marsters. 

“ Do you know, Marsters,” he said, that that 
was dangerously near a joke. But don’t interrupt. 
Drunkenness being a disease of the nervous sys- 
tem, the home of which is in the brain, it is the 


lOO 


AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


circulation of the blood which carries the remedy 
to the brain and to a cure. Do you follow? 

“ Slowly/^ replied Marsters, wondering where 
Harlowe was coming out. 

“ Now/’ Harlowe went on, “ phrenology proves 
that each of the emotions and passions is located 
in some particular part of the brain.” 

He looked earnestly at Marsters, following up 
with “ Eh? Eh? Eh? ” eagerly. 

“ Well, what follows? ” asked Marsters, utterly 
abroad. 

“ My great discovery,” said Harlowe conclu- 
sively. My great advance on previous discov- 
eries. Determine the drugs that affect each part 
of the brain, and you have the perfect man — that 
is, so long as the influence of the drug lasts. For 
instance, a man is deficient in firmness; find the 
proper drug, inoculate him, and he is firm to 
stand up under temptation.” 

‘‘Stuff and nonsense!” exclaimed Marsters, 
rising to his feet. 

“ Oh, I expect that from you,” retorted Har- 
lowe. “ Your general tendency is to skepticism. 
Locate that quality in the brain, find the drug to 
influence it, inject it into your circulatory system, 
and instantaneously you are an intelligent and 
liberal-minded man.” 

“ The idea of influencing the emotions by 
drugs,” said Marsters, unmindful of the sarcasm. 


MR. lURLOlVE AND HIS DISCOVERY. 


loi 


‘‘Why not?” asked Harlowe. “Is not anger 
an emotion? And have not the homeopaths a 
remedy — a drug — for that, which they apply suc- 
cessfully? ” 

“ Have you found a cure for lunacy? ” asked 
Marsters, who had now listened to the end, and 
regarded Harlowe’s exposition as wild and fan- 
tastic twaddle. 

“ No,” replied Harlowe soberly. “ But I have 
found that by judicious inoculation of quinine 
a man’s firmness is largely increased; that burnt 
brandy — burnt brandy, sir — will make him yield- 
ing and submissive. Within the minute I have 
inoculated myself with quinine. You cannot per- 
suade me.” 

He went back to the table and replaced the bot- 
tle in the cabinet. 

“ Well, Harlowe,” said Marsters, with a grim 
smile, “ ril yield without burnt brandy. If it is 
effective, I wish you would use it on yourself. 
However, you will see the countess, won’t you? 
You see. I’m somewhat embarrassed as to her, for 
I have promised you would listen to her story.” 

“ Oh, I’ll listen to her story,” said Harlowe, 
busying himself with the papers at the table. “ I 
have the means of resistance at hand. In the 
meantime, let me have the papers, and I will look 
them over alone in my room.” 

He gathered them up and carried them with 


102 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


him to the house. Reaching the veranda, he 
turned to Marsters and said quizzically: 

I’m afraid, Marsters, you have become some- 
what infatuated with your countess. You’d bet- 
ter let me inoculate you with a little quinine.” 

Marsters made a gesture of disgust and protest. 

No? ” asked Harlowe with assumed surprise. 

Oh, very well, then. It might save you from her 
fascinations, though.” 

He went into the house with a laugh, leaving 
Marsters to himself. 


CHAPTER IX. 


COUNTESS MURA NALETOFF. 

Joe, returning with the spectacles for which he 
had been dispatched, turned the current of Mr. 
Marsters^ thoughts. 

Say ! exclaimed Joe; “here’s your glasses, 
and Misser Bentley sed dat de countis is er cornin’ 
right now.” 

Joe had barely time to deliver his message when 
Flossie ran in by the path between the house and 
the wall. She had returned from the village alone, 
for her father had been captured by Michaelovitch 
and carried in triumph into the presence of the 
prince. 

As she ran in she cried excitedly: 

“ Oh, where’s uncle? Mr. Bentley is bringing 
a lady — and such a grand lady.” 

An opinion immediately confirmed by Joe in an 
undertone: 

“ Dat’s right. She’s a peach! ” 

“ Then meet them, Flossie,” said Mr. Marsters, 
“ and tell Bentley not to take the lady into the 
house, but to bring her here.” 


J03 


104 


AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


Before Flossie could turn to perform the errand, 
Bentley made his appearance, escorting a lady 
who by no means looked her thirty years. Flossie 
was wholly right in her application of the adjective 
grand, for the Countess Naletoff was in every par- 
ticular the grande dame^ possessing, also, what is 
often denied ladies of her rank — exceptional 
beauty — and yet a beauty far removed from our 
American and English types. 

Thank you for your attention, Mr. Bentley,’’ 
said the countess, in a sweet, musical voice, with 
hardly a perceptible accent. I do now see my 
good friend Marsters.” 

She saw Flossie — a very pretty picture of youth 
— gazing upon her with unconcealed admiration. 

^^Ah!” cried the countess, and who is this 
sweet young lady? ” 

This is Miss Flossie,” replied Mr. Marsters, 
advancing, the niece of Mr. Harlowe.” 

“ Come to me, child,” said the countess, a com- 
mand instantly obeyed by Flossie, for the young 
girl had surrendered at discretion to the charms 
of the elder lady. How gracefully the name 
rests upon you! Surely it was an inspiration to 
so name you.” 

'' It was the name my father gave me when I 
was very little,” replied Flossie very modestly. 

Inspired by proud love,” added the countess, 
as she stooped to kiss the young girl. Ah ! you 


COUNTESS MURA NAZE TORE. I05 

were born to inspire love. Youth still crowns 
you with the apple blossoms of white, and pink, 
and gold. Time has beckoned me far enough on 
his road to make me regret the grace of your 
years.’’ 

“ Be seated, countess,” put in Mr. Marsters, 
impatient to push the business which had brought 
the countess. “ I have been partially successful.” 

“ As I could quite believe,” replied the countess. 

Leading Flossie, she moved across the lawn in 
the direction of the settee Mr. Marsters had indi- 
cated. It seemed as if she clung to Flossie in the 
assurance that in the young girl she had one friend 
in the family of Mr. Harlowe, however impotent 
in her cause she might be. 

When the countess was seated Flossie brought 
a low stool, which she placed at the feet of her 
newly found friend, seated herself, and looked up 
in silent adoration— an act which the countess, 
taking it as a tribute to her charms, as it un- 
doubtedly was, rewarded with an impulsive 
embrace. 

“ I have broken ground, countess,” said Mr. 
Marsters; “ now everything depends on you.” 

“ On me, dear friend ?” queried the lady, and 
not without symptoms of alarm. “ Explain! ” 

At present Mr. Harlowe refuses to take your 
case,” said Mr. Marsters. “ I rely now upon the 
sympathy you can excite by your story.” 


AM AMERICAN CAVALlEk. 


to6 

“ Surely/’ said the countess, “ the simple story 
of a distressed, persecuted woman, driven from 
her home, a stranger in a strange land, is elo- 
quence enough.” 

” Mr. Harlowe,” said Mr. Marsters very 
gravely, ‘‘ has to-day declined a retainer from 
Prince Kroupieve.” 

The countess, much alarmed, abruptly rose to 
her feet. 

“The Prince Kroupieve! Here in this place? 
Oh, my God! ” 

She was so much agitated that Marsters 
hastened to her, while Flossie stood aside, fright- 
ened by the energy of the fright of the countess. 

“ Do not be alarmed, countess,” said Mr. 
Marsters reassuringly. “Be comforted! There 
is nothing to fear.” 

“ Oh, you know not the man,” cried the count- 
ess, still possessed by her awful fear of the man. 
“ He has agents everywhere.” 

“ I assure you, countess. Prince Kroupieve is 
powerless for evil here.” 

The countess made a gesture of hopeless in- 
credulity. 

“ You are my guest,” continued Mr. Marsters; 
“ he may learn that and welcome, but nothing 
more. I will guarantee that.” 

“ And of my plans? ” persisted the countess. 
“ Who knows? In this very house he may have 


COUNTESS MURA NALETOFF. 


107 


spies, who shall know what I do, what I say, what 
I think/^ 

Fear not,” said Mr. Marsters firmly. I 
pledge my American citizenship for your safety. 
Our lives are simple, and the air we breathe is not 
favorable to secret agents, or to conspiracies. 
Spies, intrigues, and invasion of personal rights 
do not thrive here.” 

The countess, quieted, resumed her seat; but 
unconvinced. 

‘‘ Now, Mr. Bentley,” said Mr. Marsters, turn- 
ing to Tom, “ tell Mr. Harlowe that he has a 
caller.” 

Tom, with a bow, went into the house. 

“ Can my uncle help you in your trouble, count- 
ess? ” asked Flossie sympathetically. 

“ Yes, child; Mr. Harlowe has the power,” and 
the countess smiled upon the girl. 

“ Then,” positively said Flossie, “ he will.” 

And why, child? ” 

“ Because he is so good and you are so 
lovely.” 

The countess laughed pleasantly and embraced 
Flossie again. 

Mr. Marsters adroitly seized the opportunity 
Flossie had given him to get in the hint to the 
countess to exercise her fascinations upon ,Mr. 
Harlowe. 

By that Flossie means that Mr. Harlowe is 


io8 


JjV AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


susceptible to feminine charms. And permit me 
to suggest that he is very sympathetic.” 

If you coax him, he will not refuse,” added 
Flossie, drawing upon her experience without 
thought of the applicability of the advice to the 
countess. I can coax him into anything.” 

Oh, child, it is a great weapon of our sex; but 
you see I am not his pet.” 

All this time Joe, unnoticed, had been an inter- 
ested witness, and his sympathies for the countess, 
without knowing why, had been deeply stirred. 
Unrestrained by the rank, dignity, and elegance of 
the lady he was impelled, first by his sympathy 
and again by the thought that it was time that he 
put himself on record in a matter which so 
intimately concerned the firm of Harlowe & Mar- 
sters, to the horror of Mr. Marsters, to sidle up to 
the countess and proffer this advice: 

“ Say,” he said. ‘‘ Jes’ you jolly up Misser Har- 
lowe a bit.” 

exclaimed the countess, amazed per- 
haps as much by the impudence of Joe as at the 
advice. “ Surely that is the French for pretty. 
Pretty him up, is it? ” 

Mr. Marsters moved toward Joe, strong in the 
impulse to box his ears for his impertinent inter- 
ference, but those awful organs — particularly use- 
ful to Joe — were saved by the timely appearance 


COUNTESS MURA NALETOFF. 109 

of Mr. Harlowe, thus diverting Mr. Marsters 
from his purpose. 

Mr. Marsters advanced to present Mr. Harlowe 
to the countess, who rose in greeting. 

“ Countess, Mr. Harlowe, my partner.’’ 

As the two exchanged bows Mr. Marsters said 
to Harlowe: 

Mr. Harlowe, I have promised the countess 
a courteous hearing of her story.” 

Harlowe gallantly bowed, and with the remark: 

“ The sex of the countess insures that. The 
lady compels it.” 

“ Sir! ” as she swept a profound obeisance. 

You are gracious.” 

“ A gallant of the old school,” was her thought. 

While these courtesies were being exchanged 
Marsters had gone to Tom, saying: 

Get Flossie away, and go yourself as well.” 

Catching Joe, he administered the box pre- 
vented by Harlowe’s appearance, fairly cuffing 
him into the house, following himself. 

Bentley had not such an easy task. To all of 
Bentley’s gestures and beckonings, Flossie merely 
tossed her head in contempt, having been fasci- 
nated by the countess, and very anxious to learn 
the result of the appeal to her uncle. But Tom 
becoming imperative, she went to him to tell him 
to be quiet. It was a mistake, as she found, for 


no AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

Tom, taking her hands when she refused to go 
quietly, fairly dragged her away by the upper path. 

“ Please be seated again,'' said Mr. Harlowe to 
his visitor. 

He moved the settee for her into a position 
where she could be better shielded from the sun, 
and brought a chair for himself, thinking, as he did 
so, that the countess was a remarkably fine 
woman. 

I am at your command," he said as he seated 
himself. 

“ Mr. Marsters has told you who I am and my 
mission? " 

The lady lifted her eyes to his face, and scan- 
ning his features, seemed to find something to 
place confidence in. 

“ Mr. Marsters has told me nothing," he replied 
courteously, “ except that you are the Countess 
Naletoff, and in trouble." 

Conscious of an effort in this reply to be agree- 
able Mr. Harlowe was annoyed, for he had prom- 
ised himself to be as steel against her appeal. 

The countess hesitated a moment or two before 
she began her story, the while she again scanned 
the features of the lawyer as if she would read his 
thoughts. So long did she hesitate that Mr. Har- 
lowe became embarrassed, and was about to frame 
a polite speech, when she began, in her sweet, low 
tone, all the more charming because of the quaint- 


COVXTKSS MORA iXALETOFF. 5ii 

ness of her precise pronunciation and the unusual 
form of her sentences. 

“ I am from Russia/’ she said at length. “ You 
will pardon me if I say I am rich. In the prov- 
ince where lies my estate, is also the Prince 
Kroupieve.” 

Harlowe started in surprise and murmured: 

“ Ah! the Prince Kroupieve! ” 

You know him? ” asked the countess 
earnestly. 

'' No,” replied Mr. Harlowe. I heard his 
name for the first time to-day.” 

The countess was reassured and she went on: 
I say my estates. I do not know that they 
are not confiscate. The prince is a powerful man 
at the Court of St. Petersburg, for he possesses 
the confidence of our Imperial Master, and by 
Alexander is employed on many delicate missions. 
Though neighbors, the Naletoffs and the Krou- 
pieves have not been friends for many generations 
— indeed, for long years they have been enemies. 
There have been wild fights in past times and in 
the more recent ones duels. The blood of each 
has been shed by the other.” 

''Ah! ” said Harlowe to himself, "this is going 
to be interesting.” 

" But the past did not prevent the prince from 
selecting me for his distinguished favor. At the 
Court his attentions were thrust upon me. When 


1 12 


AAT AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


his suit, which was for my dishonor, did fail, then 
he did me the honor’' — there was a perceptible 
shrug of the shoulders — “ to ofifer his hand and 
title. Though his new suit was approved — nay, 
almost commanded by Alexander — the honor ” — 
there was slight sarcasm in the tone — “ was 
declined.” 

“ Positively,” said Harlowe to himself, “ a most 
fascinating woman.” 

‘‘ My pledges had gone to a young nobleman of 
the province.” 

The countess turned her eyes on the lawyer 
to perceive the effect she had produced, and 
he hitched his chair an inch or two closer to 
her. 

“ The prince,” she went on, “ refused to con- 
sider himself dismissed, for he has the courage of 
his love.” 

The lawyer hitched his chair still closer, remark- 
ing gallantly: 

“ He had an inspiring object.” 

The countess bowed in response to the compli- 
ment and went on: 

‘‘ He sought a quarrel with my fianc^y but I 
averted the duel. It was not long after this that 
the Third Division of the Imperial Police, — the 
secret service, — found charges against the young 
nobleman who had received my vows. The prince 
is powerful with the secret police. My young 


COUiVTESS MURA N ALE TOFF. 1 13 

nobleman, so innocent, was banished to Siberia, 
and there did die of the cruelties of the place.” 

“What inhumanity!” exclaimed Mr. Harlowe, 
shocked into speech. 

“ The prince again pressed the honor; it was 
again declined. But coldness and seclusion did 
not avail me. The Third Division of the Imperial 
Police did charge that I — I, a loyal servant of 
Alexander — had relations with the Nihilists, and I 
was banished from the Court and ordered to my 
estates. The prince is powerful with the secret 
police.” 

“ The Russian way of making love is unique, 
upon my word,” said Harlowe to himself, giving 
increased attention to the countess. 

“ The prince followed to the province and re- 
newed his suit,” continued the lady. “ It was 
again declined. Then came persecutions. First, 
it was a brother; again, an uncle, until, by the 
charges of the Third Division, one after another 
were taken from me to Siberia to die. After each 
refusal his suit was renewed, and each refusal was 
followed by another disaster, until finally I stood 
alone, of all my blood.” 

“ It was infamous! ” cried Harlowe, starting to 
his feet in his agitation. 

Suddenly he became aware that he was deeply 
interested and had not in the least degree resisted 
her story, but had been wholly swept away by it. 


1 14 AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

‘‘ I’m interested — sympathizing,” he said, as- 
tounded. And then turning to the countess with 
a bow said: “ Pardon me! ” He went up to the 
table, saying as he did: “A practical test for my 
theory! ” 

The countess was surprised by the abrupt man- 
ner in which her listener, so attentive, had left her, 
and the singularity of his manner. She watched 
Mr. Harlowe go to the cabinet and take a vial 
and syringe from it and inoculate himself. 

Ah! ” she cried to herself, '' my friend is given 
to morphine.” 

Mr. Harlowe returned to his seat, firmness and 
determination written on his face. His change of 
demeanor was so great that the countess was dis- 
turbed, and it was with great difficulty that she 
took up her story where she had been interrupted. 

“ Nor did the persecutions of the prince end 
with these acts,” she went on. My valued 
attendants — serfs — all who loved me, were one 
after another taken from me, until it became fatal 
to love or befriend me.” 

“ A story of refined cruelty,” commented Mr. 
Harlowe without abating a jot his judicial air. 

But he said to himself, And such a lovely 
creature! ” 

“ I fled to Paris. Spies swarmed about me, and 
still I was persecuted.” 

'' Prince Kroupieve followed you to Paris with 


COUNTESS MURA MALE TOFF. 115 

his spies? ” asked Mr. Harlowe, surprised out of 
his judicial attitude. 

“Yes; wherever I went I was followed; even my 
domestic servants were bought, and became spies 
upon me. So, then I fled to America, where for 
some time I have had peace.’’ 

Mr. Harlowe moved from his chair to a seat on 
the settee, beside the countess, saying: 

“ Of course! Of course! ” 

“ But I am threatened with a new danger. If 
this treaty, which is now pending between Amer- 
ica and Russia, is consummated, I shall be de- 
prived of refuge even here.” 

“ How can it affect you? ” asked Harlowe 
incredulously. 

“ It is not difficult for the secret police to make 
a criminal. Already I am charged with conspiring 
against the life of the Emperor.” 

“ Ha! ” ejaculated Mr. Harlowe, remembering 
Marsters’ remark on the pending treaty and the 
Russian criminal code. 

“ The charge is false,” continued the countess 
vigorously. “ The Naletoffs have always been 
loyal. But that it is false helps me not. If this 
treaty is closed, my extradition will be at once 
demanded.” 

Harlowe rose from his seat, pacing up and 
down, much agitated. 

“ I see! I see! ” he said. “ Yes, there is the in- 


Il6 an AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

iquity. It is — why, to return you to Russia would 
be to condemn you to death! ” 

“ Precisely,” quietly remarked the countess. 

Harlowe, shocked by the certainty of such a 
result, so composedly expressed by the countess, 
returned to his seat by her side. 

But,” he asked, '' what does the prince gain 
by such a course? ” 

The power of life or death.” 

Over you? ” 

The countess nodded her head in acquiescence. 

“ The prince is a fierce wooer. Powerful at the 
Court he will say to me, on this side is my hand, 
the name of Kroupieve, freedom. On that, con- 
viction, Siberia, death.” 

This was too much for the equanimity of Mr. 
Harlowe. He sprang to his feet, excited. 

“ In a long and somewhat varied career,” he 
began oratorically, but broke off suddenly with an 
impatient gesture. “ Oh, hang that! I — I never 
heard anything to equal this. A game of diplo- 
matic chess with nations for pawns and a woman 
for a stake.” 

In my extremity I appeal to you to save me 
from so horrible a fate,” pleaded the countess. 

“ Horrible! ” cried Harlowe, turning to her. I 
should say it was. So sweet! So winsome! To 
be diplomatized into marriage in such a manner! 


COUNTESS MURA NALETOFF. 1 17 

Protect you? Why, Fd hide my face from the 
sight of man in shame forever after if I didn’t ” 

He stopped in blank amazement; then said in 
the same tone and manner: 

“ Fm deeply sympathetic — haven’t resisted a 
bit.” 

Again, to the surprise of the countess, he rushed 
to the cabinet and took from it the same vial he 
had a moment before taken out, looked at it, put 
it to his nose. 

“ Burnt brandy! ” he cried in a tone of profound 
satisfaction. “ Burnt brandy, by all that is holy! 
I inoculated myself for a submissive yielding. My 
theory is proved beyond question. It is fate! It 
is destiny! ” 

He went back to the countess, his face aglow, 
and, bowing profoundly before her, he said: 

Madame, I take your case.” 


CHAPTER X. 


dale’s astounding news. 

Dale and Flossie had reached the railway sta- 
tion whither they were bound before Michaelo- 
vitch had caught up with them. As Dale stepped 
from the buckboard the spy touched him upon the 
shoulder and said that the prince must see Dale at 
once; indeed was most impatient. 

“ Then,” said Dale, “ let me first arrange to have 
my trunks, which are here, taken to Edgemere. 
If the prince cannot wait until I escort my daugh- 
ter back to her home, why, she must go alone 
then.” 

Michaelovitch had been filled with the fear that 
Dale was escaping the neighborhood, but, satis- 
fied as he was as to the injustice of the suspicion 
he had entertained, nevertheless he was anxious 
that Dale should go to the prince to reveal 
the whereabouts of the countess; so, while he con- 
sented to a delay sufficient to arrange for the 
transportation of Dale’s baggage, he would not to 
that involved in accompanying Flossie to Edge- 
mere. 

Therefore Dale, telling Flossie that he was sum- 


DALE'S ASTOUNDING NEWS. II9 

moned to a business he could not neglect, and 
that he would make his way back to Edgemere as 
best he could, sent her off alone with pouting lips, 
displeased that she was robbed of her playmate so 
soon. 

While Dale superintended the mounting of his 
trunks on an express wagon, Michaelovitch lit 
another cigar and awaited Dale with the neces- 
sary patience. 

Having completed his work Dale joined the 
spy. 

I am at your service, most mighty and puis- 
sant Rodion,’' he said airily. Give me one of 
your excellent cigars, oh, Michaelovitch! and we 
will discuss affairs of state.” 

You jest, light-hearted friend,” replied Ro- 
dion, falling into Dale’s humor, and handing his 
cigar case; “but the affair I would talk of is 
weighty.” 

“ Oh! ” exclaimed Dale, lighting his cigar. 

“ Yes; it is the Countess Naletoff.” 

“ How much does she weigh? ” asked Dale, 
taking a long pull at his cigar with evident 
enjoyment. 

Rodion stared at him. 

“ You say that the countess is the affair,” ex- 
plained Dale, “and that the affair is weighty. 
Ergo, the countess Naletoff must be weighty, 
and I ask how much.” 


120 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER, 


‘‘ You would find a laugh in everything. But 
you have not seen the countess, or you would not 
ask the question.'^ 

“ Never has the beauteous, or otherwise, crea- 
ture gladdened these eyes of mine,” replied Dale, 
and suddenly changing his mode of speech, added, 
but, my dear Rodion, you have taken a tumble 
to yourself. When we talked about the countess 
at Edgemere, an hour ago or more, she was a mat- 
ter of little concern to the prince, and ” 

And you were provoked,” broke in Rodion, 
“ that I would not give you the confidence of my 
master.” 

“ No, my friend. But because you took me 
for such a fool as to think I could be deluded 
by the first falsehood that fell to your tongue.” 

Then I will not make the same error now. 
But first, there is no mistake about the countess 
being here — in this neighborhood? ” 

None whatever; no more than that your mas- 
ter, as you call him, has a real reason for desiring 
to know her whereabouts.” 

“ I will conceal nothing. Know, then, that the 
prince is very anxious to find her.” 

“ That he may^pay his devoirs,” mimicked Dale. 

“Ah! You hold the evasion against me yet. 
Here is the truth. The countess is not only a 
lady of high rank, but a very rich noblewoman, 
whose estates adjoin those of the prince. And 


DALE'S ASTOUNDING NEWS. 


I2I 


she is a great beauty. For her beauty the prince 
does love her. For her wealth he would espouse 
her, since, added to his own, it would open his 
way to power and distinction second only to the 
Czar himself. Now his enemies by cunning lies 
have poisoned her mind against him, and per- 
suaded her to leave the country. The prince 
would find her that from his own lips she may 
learn the truth and the injuries his enemies did 
do to him. Now you have the truth.” 

With seeming frankness Michaelovitch had 
concealed the real fact with a plausible tale. 
However, Dale, too indifferent to care, was easily 
satisfied. 

‘‘ My dear Rodion, I did not intend to conceal 
my discovery — a discovery which, by the way, was 
quite by accident, reflecting no credit upon my 
skill.” 

“ As all great discoveries are made,” amiably 
commented the spy. “ Come, let us go to the 
prince; he is impatient.” 

They went at once to the hotel, and just before 
Michaelovitch ushered Dale into the presence of 
the prince he whispered: 

“ Do not let the prince see that you know his 
story, nor let him imagine that you think you have 
made a discovery of great value and importance 
to him.” 

He then opened the door, announcing his com- 


122 


AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


panion, and, closing it noiselessly, left Dale with 
the prince. 

“Ah, Dale!” cried the prince most graciously. 
“ Welcome! You did do us great service in seiz- 
ing the conditions at Edgemere with such intelli- 
gence. I am just returned from there.” 

“ Then you saw my brother-in-law? ” 

“ No,” replied the prince; “ I did not have the 
honor. I did see, however, Mr. Marsters, as you 
did advise — a charming man — and did, I think, 
advance the business well.” 

“Yes,” said Dale, “Mr. Marsters was there 
when I left.” 

“ I do hold myself here now, to go to Edge- 
mere if necessity requires, which I do not think 
it will, or if Mr. Marsters sends for me, which I 
do not think he will.” 

“ Then I am quite likely to be the messenger, 
if there is to be one,” said Dale, “ for I am about 
to take up my residence for a while with Mr. 
Harlowe.” 

“Ah, indeed!” exclaimed the prince, a shrewd 
expression momentarily flashing across his face, 
“ that is well. But, my dear friend Dale, Rodion 
did tell me that you have learned that a lady of my 
acquaintance is in the neighborhood — the Count- 
ess Naletofl? ” 

“ That is true,” replied Dale promptly. “ I 
learned it quite accidentally, for I was pursuing 


DALE'S ASTOUNDING NEWS. 123 

no inquiries, and caught at the mention of the 
name, as I remembered hearing you say on one 
occasion to Michaelovitch that you would like to 
know where the lady was.” 

Yes,” said the prince inquiringly, and where 
is she? ” 

“ Why,” replied Dale, smiling, somewhat to 
my astonishment, for I cannot see how the ac- 
quaintanceship arose, she is the guest of Mr. 
Marsters.” 

If Dale wanted proof of the deep interest of the 
prince in the finding of the countess, it was sup- 
plied in the extraordinary effect his communica- 
tion produced upon that gentleman. 

He stared at Dale with fixed eyes, a wild ex- 
pression flashing in them, while, his color coming 
and going, he stood as one paralyzed. 

'' Marsters!” he breathed rather than spoke. 
‘‘The guest of Marsters! Marsters — of the firm 
of Harlowe & Marsters? ” 

Dale was a heedless sort of person, but he must 
have been a dull one also, which he was not, had 
not his intelligence told him that in the agitation 
of the prince was to be seen another lie of 
Michaelovitch — a desire to find the countess upon 
the part of the prince far deeper than the wily spy 
had led him to suppose. More than this, he now 
saw clearly what had been a mere surmise before, 
that this desire was clearly connected with the 


124 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


business the prince had with Harlowe & Mars- 
ters — how or in what way, however, he was just 
as ignorant. The immediate effect of this recog- 
nition on Dale was to put him on guard against 
further involvement in what he had called the 
muddle.” 

'‘So,” muttered the prince, apparently oblivi- 
ous of the presence of Dale. “So! She calls a 
check on the first move in the game.” 

A new thought broke in upon him. 

“ Ah! ” he cried, throwing up his head and lift- 
ing his eyebrows — a characteristic trick of man- 
ner. “ Yes, yes! What was it the Marsters did 
say? He would have the Harlowe in another 
case which, if he took it, would interfere with my 
desires.” 

He paced up and down the apartment with long 
strides, his arms folded, with the thumb and fore- 
finger of his left hand playing with his lower lip. 
Then he began to mutter to himself in Russian. 
Dale, being familiar with the language, could, by 
dint of effort at listening, grasp the intelligence 
of the words. 

“Oh, yes; I can see it now; it is v6ry plain. 
The Marsters is one of your honorable fools — 
what they call a soul of honor — and upon my 
word the prince, who held himself superior to him, 
was the fool, who did not appreciate his sim- 
plicity.” 


DALE'S ASTOUNDING NEWS. 125 

He was silent for a time, still pacing up and 
down, when he broke out again, still in his native 
tongue : 

“Oh, yes; it is very plain! The countess has 
secured the weapon. Well, then, the next best 
thing is knowing that that weapon will be used 
against you. Good! I have not the weapon, but 
have that knowledge.” 

Again he paced up and down, and again he 
broke out: 

“ It is well, after all. There must always be one 
mistake in every enterprise. Good! I have made 
mine at the very outset, and it is not irretrievable, 
but it is embarrassing. Ah! It would be more — 
it would be ridicule' — if it were known that Alex- 
ander’s great diplomat had been thus tricked by 
a simple lawyer not of high degree. But it can 
be concealed; I have not made anyone a confi- 
dant of my purposes or the reason of them.” 

Suddenly he seemed to realize that Dale was 
present. He turned with an instant change of 
manner, again the polished, self-contained prince. 

“ I thank you. Dale,” he said in English, “ for 
your information. It has astonished me for many 
reasons, which, after all, are unimportant. So the 
countess is the guest of Mr. Marsters. She does 
have a courteous host. I presume she will receive 
me there.” 

“ Oh, yes! ” carelessly replied Dale. “ I see no 


126 ^JV AMERICAN CAVAL/ER. 

reason why she should not. She only arrived last 
night, and, as I understand it, will remain but a 
short time.’’ 

The prince glanced keenly at Dale, but gave 
expression merely to the ejaculation: 

“Ah!” 

But after a moment he said: 

“ I do not think the necessity for a second visit 
to Edgemere will arise. Your brother-in-law does 
retire from the law — to engage, no doubt, in 
diplomacy, as you told me yesterday he had hopes 
of doing. Well, into the ranks of the noble 
brotherhood I will welcome him. And so you 
become a member of the Harlowe family. That 
also is well.” 

There was a knock at the door, and in obedi- 
ence to the command of the prince to enter, 
Michaelovitch made his appearance with a letter. 

Glancing at it, the prince said carelessly: 

“ From Mr. Marsters.” 

Tearing off the envelope, he read the letter at- 
tentively, but without any betrayal of emotion 
to the two observantly attendant upon him. Hav- 
ing concluded his reading, and as he refolded it, 
he said to Rodion: 

“We return to New York as quickly as pos- 
sible. I do not again go to Edgemere.” 

Rodion bowed and retired to make the neces- 
sary preparations. 


DALE'S ASTOUNDING NEWS. 1 27 

“ Your brother-in-law,” said the prince to Dale, 
“ does decline to accept the offer which I did 
make to him.” 

‘"Ah!” returned Dale. '‘Then he insists upon 
retiring from the practice of the law.” 

“ Upon the contrary, he has accepted another 
retainer — has taken another case, which, in the 
language of the honorable Mr. Marsters, will, he 
fears, prove antagonistic to my interests.” 

Then Dale saw a little further into the " mud- 
dle.” The interests which Mr. Harlowe had 
newly assumed and those of the prince were at 
variance. Of this he made no expression, but 
merely said: 

” And you return tO' New York at once? ” 

" Yes,” replied the prince, “ but you will remain 
here, an inmate of the family of your brother-in- 
law.” 

This much was said with an air of command, as 
if laying down instructions; but he changed his 
tone and continued more pleasantly: 

" My dear Dale, there are some things occur- 
ring in this country of yours, or rather about to 
occur, in which I am deeply interested. In some 
of these things your brother-in-law will now also 
be interested. I should have desired to have had 
him associated with me.” 

He stopped as if he had ended all he had to say 
upon the subject, leaving Dale for the instant 


128 an AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

undetermined as to whether or not he was dis- 
missed from the service of the prince. 

Dale was about to ask a plainer expression of 
the prince’s meaning, when the latter spoke again, 
and in a careless tone: 

“ I should like you to inform me, as you will 
be an inmate of the family, and therefore close to 
him ” 

Pardon, prince,” broke in Dale unceremoni- 
ously, don’t say that which will be embarrassing 
to hear, and unpleasant to resent.” 

The prince looked up angrily, and would have 
spoken had not Dale forestalled him. 

“ Evidently,” continued Dale, your interests 
and those of my brother-in-law clash. What 
those interests are, on either side, I neither know 
nor care, nor shall I endeavor to discover. That 
they have assumed an antagonistic phase is ap- 
parently the outcome of to-day. Neither shall I 
make an effort to determine that. But, since they 
are antagonistic, and I must choose on which side 
I must stand, bound as I am to my brother-in-law 
by obligations I can never repay, that choice must 
be on the side of Mr. Harlowe.” 

“Ah!” 

The sneer under the waxed mustache was 
marked. Without heeding it. Dale went on: 

“ I have been willing to assist you in all ways 
comporting with the conscience of a gentleman ; I 


DALEYS ASTOUNDING NEWS, 129 

have been proud of the confidence with which you 
have honored me; and grateful for the value which 
you, not myself, have placed on the service I have 
had the happiness to render you; but I have been 
most unfortunate in the impression I have made 
upon you if you can suppose for one moment that 
I could abuse the hospitality offered me in affec- 
tion and good will/' 

The arrogant prince passed out of sight, and 
the wily Russ and diplomatist came into view. 

“ My dear Dale, of what are you talking in this 
severe manner? " asked the prince with well- 
assumed surprise. ‘‘ I merely meant to say that, 
as events were likely to separate us, I did not want 
to lose knowledge of you, and to ask that you 
would inform me of your health and friendship, 
and of opportunities when we could meet in a 
social way." 

“ I thank Your Serene Highness," replied Dale 
most formally, not one whit misled. “ I may be a 
man of little aspiration, looking upon the duties 
and obligations of life lightly. But I have counted 
myself at least a man of honor. I would not have 
you believe I could be a spy. I cannot conceive 
the distress that would drive me into being one. 
I bid Your Excellency farewell." 

Dale went from the presence of the prince with 
a greater dignity than he was ever known before 
to assume. 


130 


AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


The prince did not respond to Dale’s profound 
bow, but sat quite still in his chair for several 
moments after the door had closed. 

“ Upon my word! ” he finally aroused himself 
to say, “upon my word! my friend Dale, this is 
the first time I have given you respect. Is this the 
character of all the Americans? I meet it at every 
turn. Is it the result of free government and 
American civilization? If this be what I have to 
contend with, then my enterprise is increased in 
the difficulties with which it will be surrounded. 
Gold and bribes will have less effect, then, than 
has been my experience in the courts of Europe 
and the East. But, my good friend Dale, whether 
you are a spy or not, whether you want to be a 
spy or not, and whether you will be a spy or not, 
my spy you will be. The brains of Alexis 
Kroupieve will compel you to give up the informa- 
tion you have, however deep you bury it — even 
that which you have and do not know you possess 
— whenever we meet. And I will see that it is as 
often as I need you. One check in this game is 
all I will sustain.” 


END OF BOOK I. 


BETWEEN BOOKS. 


What had been a conjecture in the early part 
of 1893 was in October stated as an assured fact. 

Articles of treaty were pending between the 
two great powers, the United States of America 
and the Empire of Russia. 

Curiosity was rife as to the nature of the pro- 
posed treaty. The prevailing opinion was that 
it was merely that of extradition, and this served 
to allay apprehension as to the consequences of 
an act of government in which, contrary to the 
spirit of our institutions, the people had no voice. 

One portion of the population, and a very small 
one, to be sure, however, was certain that a great 
international crime was about to be perpetrated, 
and that Russia was endeavoring to gain an ad- 
vantage by which it could stretch forth its arms 
and take into its fatal embrace such of its subjects 
as had fled from the wrath of the Bear and taken 
refuge under the wings of the Eagle. This por- 
tion was made up of those who had offended in 
one at least of the many ways possible against the 
law and the ukase of the Russian Emperor, many, 
if indeed not all, political offenders, some of whom, 
even, had known Siberia; and of all those who, 


132 


AAT AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


having been concerned in efforts to alter existing 
conditions of things in the lands of their birth, and 
having found residence therein uncomfortable and 
dangerous as a consequence, had fled hither. 

These people were active and aggressive. 
Through the press, and by pamphlet and speech, 
they forced a discussion which, before October was 
past, created an uneasy feeling, if not of opposi- 
tion to the treaty, at least of a fear that our Gov- 
ernment was yielding too much to a power to 
which it was anxious to show its gratitude for 
signal service at a critical period of its existence. 
A rumor, the origin of which could not be traced, 
but which, being widely circulated, strengthened 
the discussion, was to the effect that the Czar, 
anxious to gain an advantage in the consumma- 
tion of the proposed treaty, had dispatched to this 
country a trusted confidant — a nobleman of dis- 
tinction — armed with vast powers of definite 
settlement of all disputed points, but who was 
concealed behind the Russian Embassy, and was 
officially unknown to our Government. The only 
basis for this rumor was the presence of a distin- 
guished Russian in this country at the time, who 
seemed to be far more concerned in sight-seeing 
and preserving his incognito than in affairs of 
government. 

Opposition to the treaty developed to such an 
extent that the Government evidently thought it 


BETWEEN BOOKS. 


33 


well to take cognizance of it, without abandoning 
its position of traditional inviolable secrecy, by 
permitting the information to escape through 
those well-regulated ‘‘ leaks ” all governments pos- 
sess, that the treaty was- merely an extradition 
treaty, differing in no essential respect from those 
existing with other countries, already made and 
confirmed, and did not touch political offenders. 

This checked the increasing apprehension and 
opposition, but did not satisfy the whilom Russian 
and Polish subjects. They insisted with much 
spirit and persistency that there was a clause in 
the articles providing that all who were guilty of 
an attempt against the life of the head of either 
Government should be regarded as extraditable 
criminals; that this would be proper if the same 
interpretation of the provision obtained in both 
countries, but such would not be the case, and that 
acts which in the United States would be deemed 
merely as political discussion, and of which here 
no official or judicial cognizance could be taken, 
in Russia could be construed into a conspiracy 
against the life of the Czar, and an accomplished 
crime,” falling under the scope and meaning of 
Section 242 of the Russian Criminal Code, which 
they quoted: 

‘‘ Sec. 242. The ill-contrivement against the 
life, or person, or dignity of the Lord and Em- 


134 


AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


peror is regarded as an accomplished crime, not 
only in case an attempt has already been made by 
the wrongdoer to put his criminal intentions into 
operation, but also as soon as he has started any 
preparations whatever for this purpose, either by 
urging another person to take part in those inten- 
tions, or by plotting a conspiracy, or starting a 
secret society for that end, or by joining such 
society or conspiracy, or else by expression either 
by word or in writing of his opinions and supposi- 
tions on this subject, or in what other manner 
soever/' 

And it was also shown that Sections 241 and 
243 provided that all whose offenses fell under 
Section 242 were subject to capital punishment. 

In illustration, it was cited on authority that a 
student of the University of Kiev, who believed 
that Russia should have a representative parlia- 
ment, and in whose possession were found pam- 
phlets advocating that reform, was arrested, tried, 
convicted, and hanged — probably the very case to 
which Mr. Marsters referred in his urgency upon 
Mr. Harlowe to take the case of the Countess 
Naletoff. It was also urged that embracing the 
clause opposed in the treaty in all extradition pro- 
ceedings, the United States authorities could not 
go behind the findings of the Russian courts and 
review their proceedings, but must accept the cer- 


BETWEEN BOOKS. 135 

tified findings of such courts as true, final, and 
conclusive. 

The discussion led to this result: While the 
State Department made no official admission that 
a treaty was pending, it accepted all briefs and 
arguments bearing on the subject, and even dis- 
cussed with favored ones the points pro and con. 











BOOK TWO. 

THE DEMONSTRATION. 


CHAPTER I. 

FOREIGN METHODS. 

Having succumbed to the appeal of Countess 
Naletoff, Mr. Harlowe addressed himself to her 
cause with all of that ardor and energy potent in 
his rise in his profession. 

To all comments on his sudden change of pur- 
pose he insisted that it had been controlled by fate, 
as expressed in his mistake with his vials. But Mr. 
Marsters knew, as he had hoped they would be, 
that Harlowe’s sympathies had been deeply stirred; 
that his soul revolted against the persecutions to 
which the lady had been subjected; and against 
the governmental tyranny of which she had been 
rnade a victim, and which were so repugnant to 
his republican training. There was in Mr. Har- 
lowe a vein of knight-errantry, and he burned to 
redress the wrongs of the hapless fair one who had 
thrown herself upon his sympathies. 


*37 


13S AN AxMERICAN CAVALIER. 

On the day following the visit of Prince Krou- 
pieve to Edgemere, a foreigner, evidently a Rus- 
sian, took up quarters in Northport. Foreigners 
were not so uncommon in that village as to excite 
unusual curiosity, and this particular foreigner 
might have passed with ordinary remark had he 
not discovered an inquisitive curiosity as to the 
house of Mr. Marsters, and its surroundings, and 
its inmates. At once the shrewd and timorous 
souls of the village concluded that burglary was 
his object, and communicated their fears to Mr. 
Marsters. That gentleman was skeptical; but 
when, upon inquiry, he found that the stranger had 
ingratiated himself into the favor of his coach- 
man, and was particularly inquisitive as to the 
countess, he did suspect that the Russian was a 
spy of Prince Kroupieve. 

Mr. Marsters informed Mr. Harlowe of his 
suspicions, to the disturbance of the latter. Both 
were loath to believe that the prince would dare 
establish a system of espionage in so small a vil- 
lage and thinly populated a neighborhood, where 
the doings of one were the concern of all, yet 
they concluded that, as a matter of safety and 
precaution, the countess should remain for a time 
under the roof of Mr. Marsters, where she would 
have adequate protection. But while they thus 
sought the interests of the countess, they per- 
suaded themselves that the presence of the 


FOREIGN METHODS. 


139 


Stranger was a mere coincidence, and had no rela- 
tion to the designs of the prince. 

It did not occur to anyone to consult James 
Dale, who, from his previous intimacy, naturally 
might be supposed to know those who served the 
prince. Had they done so. Dale would doubtless 
have promptly confirmed their suspicions that the 
man was in Northport by command of the prince, 
but would have allayed their fears by the opinion 
which he expressed subsequently, when it was of 
no value, that it had no more significance than 
was involved in an effort to keep the whereabouts 
of the countess in knowledge. 

But if Mr. Marsters and Mr. Harlowe doubted, 
the countess did not, and insisted that her Italian 
servant, Pietro, who had remained in New York, 
should be summoned. When that faithful domes- 
tic did arrive, he promptly recognized in the 
stranger one of the two men whom he had so 
cleverly outwitted on the day of the landing of the 
countess in New York. 

The fact of the espionage having been conclu- 
sively established, Mr. Marsters insisted upon the 
continued residence of the countess beneath his 
roof. Against this the lady contended, in the fear 
that if Mr. Marsters were to show such open 
friendship for her, he would, to his own injury, be 
brought into collision with the prince’s power for 
evil. Though Mr. Marsters rejected such possi- 


140 AA^ AMERICA^ CAVALIEE. 

bility with contempt, insisting that the princess 
power would avail nothing in America, and that 
he was too intelligent a man not to know that 
resort to violence would be quickly followed by 
punishment, notwithstanding his high position in 
Russia, it was difficult to persuade the countess 
to the contrary, so great was her awe of the man. 
It was not until the urgency of Mr. Marsters was 
supplemented by the advice of Mr. HarR”^^ as 
her counsel — advice tantamount to command — 
that she yielded. 

Mr. Marsters, however, much as he pooh-poohed 
the spy, boiled over with indignation at the dis- 
covery that an espionage on his house had been 
established. Without consulting either Mr. Har- 
lowe or the countess, he declared war upon the 
prince. Returning with Pietro to New York, he 
went to the hotel where the prince stopped, and 
demanded admission to his presence. 

The prince, however, had left town, but Rodion 
Michaelovitch was there; and on reading the card 
of Mr. Marsters, he thought the call of the lawyer 
might have reference to the business which had 
occasioned the visit of the prince to Edgemere, 
so he presented himself, to the disappointment of 
Marsters. 

‘‘It was the Prince Kroupieve I called to see,’’ 
said the lawyer aggressively, in answer to the 
polite greeting of Rodion. 


FOREIGN ME 71 JOES. i 4 1 

The confidant of the prince informed Mr. Mars- 
ters that his master had left town for a few days, 
but that to a degree he, Michaelovitch, was his 
representative, and that perhaps the- business 
of the lawyer might come within the matters 
upon which he was empowered to act for the 
prince. 

“ Well,” said Mr. Marsters, my first business 
with the prince was to express to his face my 
opinion of his contemptible act in putting a spy 
on my house and the inmates of my family.” 

Rodion was horrified, and made a protest with 
his hands, but Mr. Marsters, not heeding the 
gesture, went on: 

“ I wanted to tell him that he might be a Rus- 
sian nobleman and a man of distinction in his own 
country, but that here he had been guilty of a 
practice that showed he was not a gentleman, but 
very near to a scoundrel.” 

Rodion could not stand that; he went to the 
defense of his master, and with no little haugh- 
tiness and arrogance. 

'' Sir! ” he cried, “ do you know of whom it is 
you use this language? ” 

“ I know very well who he is,” replied Mr. 
Marsters hotly. 

The prince knows, too, how to resent the lan- 
guage of insult,” said Rodion. 

'' D your impudence, and his, too! ” cried 


142 


AAT AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


the lawyer. Your prince has insulted me, and if 
he doesn’t make an apology I’ll show him that I 
know how to resent an insult, too, and in accord- 
ance with the rules of the very highest civilization. 
I’ll horsewhip him.” 

Rodion nearly fainted. 

“What!” he gasped; “horsewhip the repre- 
sentative of the Czar of all the Russias? ” 

“ I don’t know what he’s the representative of, 
nor do I care,” retorted Marsters. “ I don’t 
care for him any more than I do for your Czar 
and all the Russias. And you tell your prince that 
if he doesn’t take off his spy within twenty-four 
hours, he’ll be seized, horsewhipped, tarred and 
feathered, and ridden on a rail. We don’t stand 
such things in this country.” 

“ Your Government at Washington will permit 
that? ” asked the astounded Russian. 

“ Our Government at Washington has got 
nothing to do with it,” replied Mr. Marsters. “ It’s 
a State affair. But I won’t submit to it. The 
Countess Naletoff will be my guest until next 
October, and I won’t have her freedom interfered 
with by your prince, nor your Czar, nor all your 
Russias.” 

With this Mr. Marsters walked out of the hotel, 
leaving Rodion Michaelovitch in possession of the 
very information to secure which the spy had been 
sent to Northport. 


FOREIGN METHODS. 


H3 

Inasmuch as the spy was promptly withdrawn, 
Mr. Marsters greatly plumed himself on his direct 
method of dealing with Prince Kroupieve, and 
which resulted in the freedom of the countess to go 
and come, and ride about the country unannoyed 
by an agent of her countryman, an opinion in which 
he was confirmed by Mr. Harlowe, with many an 
admiring slap on the back. Dale, however, was of 
the opinion that Mr. Marsters’ threats had noth- 
ing whatever to do with the withdrawal, but that 
such retirement was due to the declaration of Mr. 
Marsters that the countess would remain as his 
guest at his country seat until he resumed his city 
residence in October. 

In the meantime Mr. Harlowe was very busy. 
Shortly after his first interview with the countess 
he had gone to Washington in an endeavor to dis- 
cover the precise terms of the treaty articles, so as 
to determine whether, in the event of consumma- 
tion of the treaty, the lady really was in the danger 
she apprehended, and if so, in what manner. 

After his first outburst of sympathy, and he had 
applied his vigorous mind to a calm consideration 
of the situation, he began to doubt whether the 
countess had not taken counsel rather of her fears 
than her judgment. It seemed to him folly to sup- 
pose that a great nation, in order to secure a 
single person, however great the desire of its ruler 
might be to secure that person, would engage in 


144 AM AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

a treaty with another great power for that single 
result. 

But the countess easily swept away his doubts, 
and in doing so, showed such a high degree of 
intelligence and such a comprehensive grasp of the 
polity of Russia as to compel his respect and 
admiration. 

The negotiations for a treaty with the United 
States, she said, had not been begun with the pur- 
pose of seizing her, but were owing, first to the 
policy of Russia to live with other nations as other 
nations did with each other, and, secondly, to the 
fact that, so long as no extradition treaty existed, 
America was a refuge for all sorts of offenders 
Russia desired to punish, and who could from here 
continue their intrigues against the Government. 
While it was true that few countries were willing 
to bind themselves in solemn treaty to return 
political offenders, yet Russia had so ingeniously 
constructed its laws that all political offenders 
could be declared guilty of criminal offenses. 
And while it might be difficult to persuade an 
enlightened country to take a similar view of an 
offender, yet the possibility existing was enough 
to awe the Russian subjects into believing that, 
with the establishment of every new extradition 
treaty, another refuge was shut off against them. 
In this intention she, the countess, was of no more 
concern than hundreds of other Russians, scattered 


FOREIGN METHODS. 


145 


over the world, who had fled their country with- 
the consent of their Imperial Master. 

Descending from Russia’s general policy to a 
consideration of her own individual case, she said 
that the Emperor was embarrassed by feuds among 
the nobility, many of them of standing of genera- 
tions. To end these feuds had been the effort of 
Alexander for many years, and the means generally 
employed was marriage between the families at 
feud. Such a feud had existed between the Nale- 
toffs and the Kroupieves, two of the most power- 
ful, as well as the wealthiest families of Russia, 
whose vast estates divided a province between 
them. To end this feud had been a favorite dream 
of the Emperor, and Kroupieve had been induced 
to it by visions of the power and distinction he 
would attain by the union proposed, in the acces- 
sion of great wealth and the control of a great 
province which could itself raise up and equip an 
army by no means to be despised. She, the 
countess, had rebelled. Aside from the fact that, 
at the time the proposal was made, she was 
pledged to a young nobleman, a remote relative, 
she held the Prince Kroupieve in utter detesta- 
tion, not alone because of her inherited enmity, but 
because of the cruelty of his nature and the open 
and flagrant immorality of his life. 

But it was in vain, when Alexander urged the 
union of the two, that she presented these facts; 


146 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER, 


nor was she more successful in her effort to point 
out the unwisdom of permitting Kroupieve to 
attain such power, since, by leaguing with two or 
three other noblemen similarly placed, a combined 
power could be raised up sufficient to contest with 
the Emperor himself, when prudent policy would 
suggest the division and not the concentration of 
such power. But Alexander’s answer to all her 
arguments had been the reply that the union was 
a high policy of state, and that it was her duty as 
a loyal and devoted subject to obey. Persecution 
following her obduracy she had fled the country, 
but not until she had turned all her available assets 
into money and jewels and sent them out of the 
country before her own departure, leaving her 
landed estates to the danger of confiscation. 

In the fact that the act of confiscation had not 
been promulgated, she argued she saw danger to 
herself. She was convinced that such act had been 
held back through the influence of Kroupieve, 
who, in such an event, would lose them, since they 
would go to the crown, and who evidently hoped 
for her return to the Empire, when he could force 
the union. 

That hope was involved in the extradition treaty 
pending; the presence of Prince Kroupieve in this 
country with vast imperial powers proved it to her. 
Perceiving the opportunity the negotiations for a 
treaty presented, Kroupieve had, she was certain, 


FOREIGN METHODS. 


147 


obtained the consent of Alexander, and power 
from him to come hither in an endeavor to ex- 
pedite the treaty, and while doing so to so guide 
the negotiations as to include a clause or provision 
so completely covering her case as would, when the 
treaty was an established fact, compel her delivery 
under demand. While she did not believe that 
the United States Government would lend itself 
knowingly to such an intrigue, she feared it would 
do so unwittingly by admitting such provision, 
innocent in its appearance, but constructed to fit 
into Russian law. It was to frustrate this subtle 
purpose that she had appealed to Mr. Harlowe. 

Fully alive to the danger the countess appre-' 
hended, Mr. Harlowe, as was said previously, had 
visited Washington to obtain precise knowledge; 
but his journey had borne no fruit. The Secre- 
tary of State, through whom alone he could expect 
to gain the knowledge, was not at his post, but 
was enjoying at his home a well-earned vacation. 
But he was consoled in his disappointment in the 
assurance that no danger attended the delay, since, 
in the absence of the President and the head of the 
foreign office, little progress would be made in the 
negotiations. 

So, returning to Edgemere, Mr. Harlowe de- 
voted himself to an examination of the Russian 
law, the study of treaties, and the principles of 
international law underlying them, and to frequent 


148 AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

consultations with the countess while awaiting 
the return to duty of the high dignitaries of 
Government. 

Meantime, life flowed smoothly at Edgemere; 
the firm of Harlowe & Marsters was not dissolved, 
and if Flossie missed Bentley, who had returned to 
New York, when the dissolution proceedings had 
been suspended, through the advent of the count- 
ess, she still had a most enjoyable companion in 
her father, with whom she bathed and boated, and 
sang and danced. 


CHAPTER 11 . 


LINES OF BATTLE. 

In the latter part of September of 1893 Mr. 
Harlowe was registered at the Arlington hotel in 
Washington, where he had made arrangements 
for a prolonged stay. 

The machinery of government was working 
smoothly on full time and in full force. The heads 
of the Departments were again at their desks, and 
the President had returned from his summer home 
by the sea. As a consequence, the foreign 
ambassadors, with their attaches, were again in 
attendance; Washington was gay; and Prince 
Kroupieve’s presence at the capital was known, 
but only because of his persistent attendance at 
the leading social functions. 

On the first day of October, Mr. Harlowe was 
joined by his family, considerably augmented. 
Melinda and Flossie, of course, were of the family, 
and Dale also, and, much to the delight of Flossie, 
as well as of himself, Bentley, taken thither as an 
assistant to Mr. Harlowe, and also later, when a 
confidential messenger was deemed desirable, Joe. 


149 


ISO AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

But the conspicuous addition was that of the 
Countess Mura Naletoff. 

Business of moment, touching the privileges 
accorded by the Government to a silver mine in 
Mexico, the owners of the right to mine which 
were clients of Messrs. Harlowe & Marsters, 
necessitated some months of residence in that 
country on the part of Mr. Marsters, and his sis- 
ter was to accompany him for the benefit of her 
health. Thus the countess was deprived of the 
protection she had received under Mr. Marsters’ 
roof, at the time when she most needed it. The 
result of the conferences between the two partners 
was that the lady was transferred to the care of 
Mr. Harlowe. 

By the time it had become necessary to leave 
Edgemere, Melinda Harlowe, in a measure, had 
become reconciled to Dale’s residence in the 
family; at least she tolerated him. It was with 
difficulty, however, that she could repress her 
anger when she found that Bentley was to join 
them at Washington. But this was nothing to 
what she felt when she learned that the Countess 
Naletoff, who was guilty of being undeniably 
charming, and in whose society Harlowe seemed 
to take such pleasure, was to become a member 
of her family circle. 

Her first angry outburst was sternly silenced by 
Mr. Harlowe. Knowing only too well the limita- 


LIXES OF BATTLE. 


tions of her trespass upon her brother’s patience, 
she dared not protest again, or even show her dis- 
like to the arrangement. But she sought con- 
solation from her friend, Mrs. Melchor. 

“ It is unbearable and not to be tolerated,” she 
had said to her friend on the day she was informed. 
“ The whole tenor of our lives is overturned, all 
on account of this wretched foreign woman.” 

“ She seems to be very amiable and agreeable,” 
replied the other lady consolingly. 

That’s her despicable cunning,” sharply re- 
torted the maiden lady. “ She has imposed upon 
everybody but myself — even Flossie. I’m so tired 
of hearing about her. It is the countess does this, 
the countess says that, and the countess thinks 
the other. And Ellen Marsters must constantly 
sing her praises to me. She is so simple in her 
ways, says Ellen; so sweet, so unaffected, so easily 
pleased, so grateful for any attention. I’m sick 
of it all.” 

Mrs. Melchor thought that the testimony of the 
mistress of a house as to the good qualities of a 
guest was strong evidence, but she felt that an 
expression of her thought would only further irri- 
tate her visitor. 

Here we are,” continued the irate Melinda, 
“ compelled to leave Edgemere a month earlier 
than usual; deprived of our usual winter’s resi- 
dence in our comfortable city house, and forced to 


152 A AT AMERlCAISr CAVALIER. 

live in an uncomfortable and dreary hotel, where I 
will not have occupation enough to employ my 
time, all because of my lady, the countess.” 

With the possibility looming up before her of 
seizing the opportunity to give her son Arthur 
a few weeks’ residence at the capital, under ex- 
cellent care and auspices, Mrs. Melchor thought 
the change in the life of her friend was not with- 
out its compensations, but what she said was that, 
in her enforced idleness, Melinda could resume her 
studies in religious literature, which had been 
interrupted by her increasing cares. 

And then,” Melinda went on, not heeding the 
last bit of consolation her friend had offered, 
“ and then there is the possibility of consequences 
too distressing to contemplate, all because Chester, 
in a weak moment of sympathy, permitted him- 
self to be diverted from his intention of abandon- 
ing the practice of the law.” 

By this time Melinda had reached the point 
always dreaded by her friends, and toward which 
Mrs. Melchor had, with alarm, perceived she was 
tending — Melinda’s ever present fear that design- 
ing women were laying siege to Chester’s suscepti- 
ble heart. That wise lady then hastened to turn 
the conversation to a subject in which Melinda had 
an equal interest, and which was very near to Mrs. 
Melchor’s heart — the union between Flossie and 
Arthur. 


LINES OF BA TTLE. 


153 


If Mr. Harlowe would not permit Melinda to 
air her opinions, and if she did not dare to show 
her feeling to the countess, others, however, did 
not escape. Melinda had a grievance and was very 
happy in exploiting it where she dared. No 
woman is truly happy until she has a grievance. 
As it was, even after they reached Washington, 
Flossie and Dale were driven to long walks to 
escape its parade. 

In other respects, however, the habits and 
labors of this strangely assorted family were ad- 
justed to the necessities of the long siege Mr. Har- 
lowe had undertaken with his customary ^ardor. 

Once settled in Washington it was not long 
before Mr. Harlowe was fully informed as to the 
letter and scope of the treaty articles. Moreover, 
he was alarmed to learn that the negotiations had 
progressed to that stage whereat consummation 
was in sight. An examination of the situation — 
the reading of the articles in the light of his 
studies of the Russian law — showed him that the 
countess had not overrated her dangers, and also 
showed him that there were but two courses of 
procedure open to him. Either he must oppose 
the whole treaty and endeavor to defeat it, or he 
must concentrate his energies upon the clauses 
and provisions under which lay her danger. 

If the treaty should be defeated, of course an 
untroubled residence in the States would be 


54 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


insured to the countess; but even the most super- 
ficial consideration of that course showed how 
formidable such an undertaking would be, promis- 
ing only failure as the end. There was, it was 
true, organized opposition to any treaty with 
Russia, but it was without weight or authority, 
for the reason that within its ranks were embraced 
all the socialists, anarchists, and refugees of the 
country, whose very contentions drove the con- 
servatives to the other side of the question, 
apparently upon the principle that good could not 
come out of Nazareth, and that what these people 
contend.ed for must be wrong, because such peo- 
ple contended for it. To espouse that side of the 
question then was to enroll himself in their ranks, 
with consequent weakness to himself. 

On the other side, strongly advocating a treaty, 
were the internationalists and the judiciary of the 
country, the latter no inconsiderable influence, 
and for which Mr. Harlowe had a large profes- 
sional respect. 

But over all, and operating most powerfully, was 
a sentimental consideration, which made the treaty 
popular with the masses. The story had been 
authoritatively told, and was a part of the unwrit- 
ten history of the country, that, at a certain period 
of the Civil War, when the Government, struggling 
for its very existence, was in a most critical situa- 
tion, it was threatened with the disastrous inter- 


LINES OF BATTLE. 


155 


ference of certain European powers — an interfer- 
ence which was averted not only by the friendly 
attitude of Russia, but by certain open and em- 
phatic acts. Such was the gratitude of our nation 
then toward Russia that the curious spectacle was 
presented of the freest government on earth 
anxious to grant whatever was asked by the most 
absolute despotism under the sun. Extremes 
had met. And sentiment is much more difficult 
to combat and overcome than logic. The pro- 
posed treaty was popular. Mr. Harlowe aban- 
doned opposition to it as a whole, as leading to the 
failure of the end he had in view. 

He was therefore driven to the adoption of the 
other course — the endeavor to defeat or modify 
the peculiar clauses affecting the personal interests 
of the countess. He did not fail to recognize that, 
in taking such a course, his position before the 
Department was weakened in this, that he stood 
as an attorney for special interests — a narrow 
ground — and also that he would inevitably be 
brought into a hand-to-hand conflict with Prince 
Krouprieve, concealed though he might be in 
ambush behind the Russian Embassy; yet Mr. 
Harlowe, well and accurately informed, knew that 
the prince directed all movements, and that if the 
tongue was the tongue of the declared representa- 
tive of the Emperor, the hand was the hand of 
Alexander’s secret emissary. 


156 AJV AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

With a courage only a strong man can summon 
Mr. Harlowe chose his course, and elected to stand 
to win or lose all on a single point, and in doing 
so, at a stroke he placed Prince Kroupieve at a 
decided disadvantage. 

It is a bold thing to do,” he said to the count- 
ess when, after full consideration, he laid his plans 
before that lady. It is putting all our eggs 
into one basket. However, I not only believe it 
to be wise, but the only course promising suc- 
cess.” 

Is, then, our enterprise so difficult? ” the lady 
had asked in alarm. 

‘‘ I should be wrong were I to conceal from you 
the fact that our effort is surrounded with many 
difficulties,” he replied, but by standing for that 
one thing, we must either obtain it or be wholly 
denied. There is a certain amount of strength in 
that position itself. So we will sweep away all 
considerations as to whether or not the clause pro- 
viding for the yielding up of criminals guilty of 
an attempt against the life of the head of either 
government, or being accessory thereto, on de- 
mand of extradition, is based on correct principles. 
For our purposes we will concede that it is. 

But consider,” protested the countess, what 
in Russia may be determined to be an attempt on 
the life of the Czar — the most innocent action 
when the authorities care to make it so.” 


LINES OF BATTLE. 


157 


She was loath to let go what seemed to her to 
be the great moral question involved and which 
seemed so powerful when argued. 

Were I contending for all the unfortunate 
refugees of the Empire,” replied Mr. Harlowe, “ I 
would make no concession of any kind. But I am 
seeking only to protect your interests — you as an 
individual. And in pursuit of that end I cast aside 
an argument which might be urged with force, 
that the disputed clauses, as they now stand, can 
be so construed as to make the Russian Criminal 
Code a part of the treaty.” 

“ You seem to me to cast aside all that is 
strong,” urged the countess. 

Yes; but I avoid an opposition which is offen- 
sive in high places,” replied Mr. Harlowe, and 
stand strenuously upon a point which, gained, will 
absolutely insure your safety, and that is that the 
clauses shall not be retroactive.” 

Retroactive? ” repeated the countess inquir- 
ingly. 

'' Perhaps,” said Mr. Harlowe, '' the term is too 
technical for you. I mean that the phraseology 
of the clauses under which your extradition could 
possibly be demanded should be such that they 
can have no effect or bearing upon the past and 
shall apply only to the future. In other words 
the only offenses which shall constitute a basis for 
a demand of extradition shall be those commit- 


158 A AT AM ERICA CAVALIER. 

ted subsequent to the date of the promulgation 
of the treaty.” 

“Promulgation?” she again inquired in her 
pretty accent. “ Forgive me, for I am very 
stupid.” 

“ The promulgation is the official term for the 
announcement that the treaty has gone into 
efifect,” Mr. Harlowe explained. “ Now your 
extradition, if Russia after the promulgation of 
the treaty shall demand that the United States 
shall yield you up, must be based upon some 
alleged oflfense or crime. If I can carry my point 
so that these clauses of the treaty shall apply 
to offenses and crimes committed after the treaty 
has gone into effect, the demand for you must fall, 
since it can be proved that you have been a resi- 
dent of the country from a period of time far ante- 
dating the close of negotiations for the treaty, and 
that all crimes you had committed, if any, must 
have been prior to that time.” 

The countess was evidently skeptical. Her 
face was clouded as she shook her head doubtfully. 

“ I have reason, practice, and principle to back 
me in my contention,” continued Mr. Harlowe, 
“ and what is quite as important, I will put Prince 
Kroupieve out of the argument.” 

The countess looked up quickly. This looked 
like contest. “ How? ” she asked. 


LINES OF BATTLE. I59 

The point being conceded as a general princi- 
ple, as I am sure it will be, and against which 
Prince Kroupieve cannot contend without uncov- 
ering the fact that he has a special and individual 
purpose that he is striving to serve, I will then 
endeavor to prove that the clauses in question, 
in their present phraseology, do admit a construc- 
tion under which the commission of crime at a 
date prior to the promulgation can be set up. The 
prince, then, will be compelled either to admit the 
possibility of such construction, or to argue that 
the clauses are not retroactive, and cannot be so 
construed, and are not so intended. In either event 
h , is at a disadvantage, for in the former event he 
defeats himself at once,* and in the latter, he can 
hardly demand your extradition, for to do so he 
must set up a retroactive effect to cover any 
offense he may allege against you.” 

The countess understood. The strategic side 
of Mr. Harlowe’s proposition appealed to her, if 
its simplicity did not. And, understanding, she 
acquiesced and approved the plan of campaign of 
the lawyer. Thereupon Mr. Harlowe began 
operations. 

Prince Kroupieve, in concealment, watched the 
development of Mr. Marlowe’s plans, and quickly 
appreciated their dangerous (to him) nature. 
Moreover, he conceived a profound respect for the 


l6o AJV AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

strategic abilities of Mr. Harlowe, who, at a 
stroke, had placed him in a situation from which 
there were but two avenues of escape, one of which 
led to certain defeat and the other to a position 
which was untenable. 


CHAPTER III. 
dale's discovery. 

Mr. Harlowe prosecuted vigorously the cause 
of the countess on the lines he had laid down to 
her; but, in doing so, his time was not so ab- 
sorbed that he could not devote a portion of it to 
what he fondly called his great discovery. 

His battle for the countess was one waged in 
the dark. He made his points, submitted his 
briefs, pushed his arguments orally when he could, 
but was not permitted to know the effects of his 
blows. One assurance he did receive before 
October was wasted, and that was that his point, 
that the treaty should not cover crimes and acts 
committed prior to the date of the treaty, was 
conceded. But how he progressed in his attack 
upon certain clauses of the treaty articles, that 
were susceptible of a retroactive construction, he 
could not learn, except vaguely. The guarded 
utterances of his friend, the Secretary; hints from 
the same source that a brief, meeting certain 
arguments of the opposition, would be accepted, 
gave him a little light from time to time. But 
the fact which gave him the best assurance that 


i 62 


AN- AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


his efforts had not been without their impression 
was, that experts in international law had been 
summoned to the aid of Government to consider 
some of his points. The suspense was naturally 
great, and perhaps, then, that is why he sought 
distraction in experiments designed to confirm 
the fanciful theory he had evolved. 

Of these experiments he talked little. He had 
come to realize that his theories that the emotions 
and passions could be allayed or inflamed, dimin- 
ished or intensified at will by the use of certain 
drugs, was regarded with sneers by some of his 
friends and acquaintances, scorn by others, and 
ridicule by all. Confident in his ultimate success, 
he was not diverted from his devotion to the 
theory. He knew quite well that his pursuit of it 
was regarded as an eccentricity, which affected 
the judgment of himself as a man of weight, 
authority, and ability. The reason for his pro- 
posed abandonment of the practice of the law was 
probably to be found in that knowledge, and in 
the belief that his standing as a lawyer would be 
impaired when it became generally known that 
he held views so opposed to established faith and 
belief. 

He had become so accustomed to the ridicule 
of his immediate friends and the members of his 
family that he met reference to his “ fad,” as they 
called it, with humor himself, and from outside 


DALE'S DISCO FEE y. 


163 


of the ranks of such friends, with a keen suspicion 
of sarcastic intention, although he could be turned 
to an earnest discussion of it when encouragement 
was given him. Relying upon the affection his 
brother-in-law bore him, and his own habit of 
never considering anything from a serious stand- 
point, Dale, a licensed jester, was more given to 
ridicule of the “ fad than anyone else, and more 
frequently talked of it with Harlowe, seemingly 
serving his sense of humor in drawing his legal 
brother-in-law into defensive argument. 

One day he assailed Harlowe with results that 
not only caused him much laughter, but gave him 
food for thought and incentive for observation. 
A month had passed since they had settled in 
Washington, and Dale, returned from a stroll, 
entered the apartment used as the general parlor 
of the Harlowe suite. Mr. Harlowe was seated at 
the table, on which rested the cabinet wherein he 
kept his vials and instruments related to his “ fad.’' 
He was studying a paper intently, too much ab- 
sorbed to heed the coming of Dale. 

“ Chester,” he said, I have a great scheme for 
you in that treaty matter.” 

The lawyer laid the paper he was studying from 
his hand, turning with attention to his brother- 
in-law. 

“ You know how intimate I am with the 
President? ” 


164 A.V A MERIC AM CAVALIER. 

Mr. Harlowe nodded. Everyone knew it. It 
was the talk of the town, much given to gossip of 
distinguished people. Dale found an approach to 
the great man when others were denied. That a 
man who, so far as could be ascertained, had had 
no previous relations with the President, should, 
in the short space of a month, establish such rela- 
tions with the ruling power, and especially one 
who seemed to bring no influence with him, was 
the wonder. The enemies of the chief magistrate 
said it was due only to that dignitary's capricious 
fondness for new faces; Prince Kroupieve thought 
it was due to the intrigues of Mr. Harlowe, who 
sought to establish a friend near the throne; but 
the Secretary of State told his friend Harlowe that 
it was mainly due to the fact that Dale had noth- 
ing to ask either for himself or his friends, and 
always brought a quaint story and a funny jest to 
the President, who hailed him as one to whom he 
could turn for relaxation from sterner duties. 
But, much to Dale's delight, it brought him much 
toadying in that city of toadyism, where all, after 
their degrees, are toadies. 

“ Well," said Dale, “ I believe the real obstacle 
you have to overcome in your fight is the preju- 
dice of the President in favor of the treaty articles, 
as they stood when you came down here, and set 
them all by the lugs with your doubts and 
questions." 


DALE'S DISCOVERY. 


165 

“Yes? ” exclaimed Mr. Harlowe inquiringly, 
thinking that, for the first time, he was about to 
reap some value from Dale’s efttr^e to the White 
House, rising from his chair and going to Dale. 

“ Now, when you want it, Fll secure for you 
an uninterrupted interview with the President,” 
continued Dale, “ when you can hypnotize him 
with that stuff.” 

He pointed to the cabinet. 

“ Hypnotize! ” exclaimed Harlowe, disgusted 
and disappointed at one and the same time. 

“Yes,” said Dale; “then you can pump into 
him a hatred of foreign countries and a love of his 
own.” 

“ Do you think,” cried Harlowe, “ that I dab- 
ble in such an empirical notion as hypnotism? ” 

“ Well, your own notions seem to have hypnot- 
ized you,” retorted Dale. “ If it was not your 
notion, then it was that paper you were poring 
over so intently.” 

“ That paper,” replied Harlowe, going to the 
table and taking it up, “ that paper is prob- 
ably the most valuable contribution to science 
since Harvey discovered the secret of the circula- 
tion of the blood. Harvey and Harlowe! Twin 
benefactors of the human race! Dale, it’s a very 
remarkable coincidence, isn’t it — the similarity of 
names, I mean? This paper is one the scientific 
world would rejoice to secure, even in its present 


i66 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


imperfect form. It is a simple list of drugs, but ” 
— and he paused impressively — “ opposite the 
name of each drug is the passion or emotion which 
is influenced by that drug, when injected into the 
circulatory system of the body. You see! Har- 
vey discovered the circulation of the blood; Har- 
lowe discovers that that circulation can carry in- 
fluencing drugs to the brain. In such manner do 
great events hinge upon one another.’’ 

Dale was perplexed; what Mr. Harlowe had 
said was so plausible that he began to think that 
possibly there might be something in the idea 
that a perfect man might be temporarily produced. 
But his brother-in-law’s “ fad ” had been too fruit- 
ful a subject for joking to be surrendered without 
a struggle. 

‘‘ Well, old man,” he said, if you could only 
persuade the President to submit to inoculation, 
you might get him to agree to anything you 
wanted. Queer idea that, of squirting ideas into 
a fellow’s brain with a syringe. If you could get 
at the rulers that way it would revolutionize 
diplomacy, wouldn’t it? Instead of being a ready 
and adroit liar, the diplomatist would be fully 
equipped when he had a squirt-gun and a drug 
shop.” 

I would be content,” replied Harlowe, with a 
laugh over Dale’s whimsical notion, '' with some- 
thing less than a President or a King for a sub- 


DALE'S DISCOVERY. 167 

ject. Finding subjects is my trouble. Now, Dale, 
last night I found that belladonna ” 

“ You want to experiment on me? ” broke in 
Dale. 

You’d serve a purpose in one way,” said Mr. 
Harlowe sarcastically. 

“Excuse me!” exclaimed Dale emphatically. 
“ I’m somewhat solicitous as to my health.” 

“ Of necessity,” continued Mr. Harlowe, not 
heeding Dale, and going to the cabinet, “ my ex- 
periment must be upon the man, nervous and 
mental. The possession of brains is a necessary 
requisite in a subject of mine.” 

“ And the very first requisite in escaping you,” 
retorted Dale, narrowly watching Mr. Harlowe 
take a bottle and syringe from his cabinet, and 
retiring to the other side of the room. 

“ Now,” Mr. Harlowe went on, following up 
Dale, vial and syringe in hand, “ as I said before, 
last night I discovered that belladonna had an 
expansive influence, and I thought if you 
would ” 

“Heavens, no!” shouted Dale, placing a table 
between himself and his brother-in-law. “ I am 
not anxious to be expanded into an angel.” 

“An angel! ” exclaimed Mr. Harlowe. “ Oh, I 
can’t undertake to do that with you — especially 
you; but I could expand that intellect of yours 
so that it would be of some use to you.” 


i68 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


“ Keep away! Keep away! ” cried Dale, lifting 
a chair and putting it on the table as a further 
protection against the designs of Harlowe. 

“ I see,’’ said Harlowe, as he turned to restore 
the vial and syringe to the cabinet ; “ I must con- 
tinue to be my own subject.” 

As he dropped into an easy-chair, he sighed: 

Everybody is dead to this science. No, no; 
not everybody! The countess is not. An aston- 
ishingly fine woman is the countess. Dale.” 

Dale, busy in replacing the chair on the floor, 
looked up with a smile. 

There’s nothing eccentric about that remark,” 
he said, and came from behind his barricade. 

“ Last night,” went on Harlowe, “ she listened 
for a full hour to my exposition of this science, 
and there was not a tremor of a smile — not a 
shade of incredulity on her lovely face.” 

Dale laughed, and asked: 

“ Did you experiment on her? ” 

'' On her? ” cried Harlowe, leaping to his feet, 
aghast at the idea. ‘H? Why, Dale, I don’t 
know a single defect in her. She is a most remark- 
able woman — perfection, sir; perfection! Experi- 
ment on her, indeed! Insert a needle in those 
arms — so white, so plump, so round. Why, man! 
I couldn’t! I couldn’t touch them. If I were to 
do so. I’d be inoculated myself — inoculated with 
love and ecstasy.” 


DALE'S DISCOVERY. 


169 


Dale did not laugh. Perhaps Mr. Harlowe ex- 
pected him to when, realizing the rhapsody into 
which he had been betrayed, he turned to look at 
his brother-in-law. But Dale was sitting astride 
a chair, his hands on its back, and his chin resting 
on his hands, keenly scrutinizing the lawyer. 
Could his thoughts have been put into words, 
they would have been something like this: 

“ Is Melinda right, after all? This looks like it. 
I thought it was only the vaporings of her jeal- 
ousy. By George, it will be too bad if Chet is 
caught now, and with this high-born dame, for 
she’d never marry him — never. Oh, pshaw! He’s 
too level-headed to be caught by her.” 

After a moment or two a question escaped from 
him, for he was hardly conscious of uttering it. 

Have you discovered a preventative against 
love? ” 

“Yes, sir!” promptly and firmly replied Har- 
lowe. “Asafedita!” 

“ Asa ” But he could not repeat the whole 

word, for he went off into a wild burst of laughter. 

“ I’m inoculated with it now,” continued Mr. 
Harlowe when he could get a word in. “ Always 
am.” 

“ You’re right, by Jove! ” cried Dale, breathless 
with laughter. “ Sure preventative against the 
love of the other person.” 

“ Laugh if you will,” Harlowe went on, “ but 


170 AN AMEJ^ICAxV CaVAL/EJ^. 

that’s the reason why that glorious creature 
makes no impression on me.” 

He suddenly changed from his earnest and sin- 
cere mood, and quizzically asked: 

“ You won’t investigate with me, then. Dale? ” 

Dale shook his head, still convulsed with 
laughter. 

‘‘Oh, Dale!” said Mr. Harlowe, “ Fm afraid 
you are not the stuff that benefactors are made 
of.” 

He left the room, and Dale, still sitting on the 
chair, became serious. 

“ By Jove! suppose the dear old fellow is caught, 
after all? ” he said. 


CHAPTER IV. 


DOMESTIC ANXIETIES. 

Dale’s laughter was hushed in his anxiety. His 
concern was for Harlowe, not for himself. With 
all his frivolity and lightness of nature, Dale was, 
nevertheless, a man of deep attachments. He 
gave to his brother-in-law an affection for which 
few of his acquaintances would have given him 
credit. And, if he ridiculed Harlowe’s eccentrici- 
ties he did respect his brother-in-law’s great abili- 
ties and sterling qualities of heart. In this sus- 
picion which had suddenly sprung up there was 
anxiety for Harlowe which was purely unselfish. 

For years the jealousy which Melinda had 
shown of every marriageable woman coming 
within range of her brother had been a standing 
joke in the family. And so, when he had heard 
Melinda rail against the folly of bringing so fas- 
cinating a woman as the countess into their family 
circle. Dale had laughed, regarding it merely as 
an expression of Melinda’s jealous apprehensions, 
perceiving no danger himself. 

But now, if the suspicion were based in truth, 
what then? If Harlowe did really love the count- 


171 


172 AuV AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

ess, it was a love that never would be crowned. 
Harlowe had passed that age in himself when he 
could bring romance to work the witchery that 
made Titania see beauty and loveliness Jn Bottom. 
It were absurd to think for a moment that the 
countess could make return of love for that of 
this simple bachelor lawyer of middle age and 
republican training, whose wealth, large enough 
indeed for all his needs, yet was small compared 
with her riches — this Countess Mura Naletoff, 
with her grand manner, her wealth, her beauty, 
her lineage, her rank, her distinctions, her life in 
royal courts, and associations with the ‘grand 
world. Even if her heart, evidently tender, were 
touched by her lawyer’s devotion to her cause, she 
would. Dale was certain, regard a union with Har- 
lowe as a humiliating mhalliance. 

No; such a result was too wild to contemplate. 
So he was filled with apprehension as to what 
effect the growth of a passion for the countess 
and its inevitable denial would have on Harlowe. 
Far better than most of Harlowe’s friends did 
Dale know the depth and strength of the lawyer’s 
emotional nature, and he feared that the disap- 
pointment would be a blow from which the lawyer 
would never recover. It was these considerations 
which had hushed his laughter and made him so 
much more serious than was his usual mood. 

But Dale was by nature an optimist. He 


DOMESTIC ANXIETIES. 


173 


could not follow a gloomy trail long, and so soon 
found a cross track that led him to more hopeful 
conclusions, and finally brought himself to a belief 
more in line with his hopes and desires, and that 
was that he had been mistaken and had given too 
much importance to a gentleman’s expression of 
his admiration for a fine woman. 

Indeed, by the time Melinda entered the room, 
as she did a few moments later, Dale’s serious 
mood was wholly dissipated. 

Deny it as he might, Melinda was the one per- 
son who exercised a restraint upon Dale, and 
he made immediate concession to her presence by 
abandoning his straddle of the chair, in which un- 
dignified attitude she had found him. Replacing 
the chair he took his stand at the fireplace, with 
his back to the grate, though there was no fire 
in it. 

Recognizing Dale with the barest inclination of 
her head, Melinda took her seat at a table on the 
opposite side of the room, and busied herself with 
some fancy work that she found on the table. 
Dale watched her without speaking for some mo- 
ments, quite certain from the ominous frown on 
her face that before long she would air one, at 
least, of her many grievances. 

‘‘ I am worried! ” finally broke out Melinda. 

“The old story,” thought Dale; but aloud he 
asked: 


I 74 AAT AMERICAN CA VALIER. 

“ The countess? 

“ The countess,” promptly responded the lady, 
and then added snappishly: ‘'and Flossie, too.” 

Dale looked up quickly and with apprehension, 
but it was not the apprehension of the parent of 
a child against whom complaint was to be made, 
but rather the apprehension of one who felt that 
his turn for condemnation would follow, since the 
playmate with whom he was so closely associated 
had fallen under the ban. 

“ It is with difficulty that I can keep her and 
that young Bentley apart. As it is, I don’t wholly 
succeed.” 

Dale was relieved. There was no indication in 
Melinda’s tone and manner that he was to be 
blamed either for the fact or for failing to assist; 
on the contrary, it was rather as if he had no 
concern in the matter, and that Melinda had 
made the remark simply because it was on 
her mind. Indeed, it was characteristic of the 
family that no one thought of Dale’s responsi- 
bility as the parent of Flossie. Even in Dale’s 
remark in reply there did not seem to be any 
recognition of it in himself. 

‘ “ Oh,” he said, very carelessly, “ he seems to be 

a good fellow.” 

“ Very trivial,” positively asserted Melinda. 
“ Entirely deficient in that steadiness which is so 
marked in Arthur Melchor.” 


DOMESTIC ANXiE TIES, 


175 


Nothing could exceed the contempt in which 
Dale held Arthur Melchor, but he did not care to 
antagonize Melinda at this time in her fondness 
for the callow youth, and merely contented him- 
self with holding up his hands in protestation 
when Melinda could not observe him. 

“ Why, James,” continued Melinda — turning a 
full face upon Dale, that he might see all the 
horror expressed upon it — “ why, James, actually 
I found Bentley with Flossie at the piano yester- 
day, and he was teaching her a song about ' The 
Bow-er-y.’ ” 

One might have supposed from the tone of 
Dale that he sympathized with Melinda in this 
condemnation of the turpitude of Flossie and 
Bentley, had not his words given rise to the sus- 
picion that his disgust was over the discovery that 
so ancient a ditty had been added to Flossie’s 
musical repertoire, for he exclaimed: 

“ What? That old chestnut! ” 

Melinda, paying less attention to the words 
than to the tone, added quickly and reassur- 
ingly: 

“ However, I can manage them.” 

“The devil doubt you! I won’t,” remarked 
Dale in an undertone. 

“ My great trouble is the countess. Chester is 
so much under her influence. She is a designing 
woman, James — a very dangerous woman.” 


176 


AM AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


Dale uneasily shifted his feet on the rug as he 
muttered: 

‘‘ Because she is so charming/' 

She exercises all her arts upon Chester," Me- 
linda went on, severity and scorn creeping into 
her voice. “ And he is so blind. She is interested 
in his scientific humbug. They spent the whole 
of last evening discussing the nonsense, until they 
set me to sleep, and I don’t know what wiles she 
practiced upon him." 

Dale with effort suppressed his desire to laugh. 

“ She reads to him," continued Melinda, her 
scorn deepening, “ and he says her accent lends 
new eloquence to poetry. She sings to him, and 
he says that her voice is the music of the heavenly 
spheres. She tells him tales of life in Russia, and 
he says he is learning history by the light of two 
lustrous orbs. Bah! I have no patience with 
him!" 

She ended her recital so energetically that she 
snapped her knitting needles, and laid her work 
on the table. 

Dale, intensely amused, and lost to everything 
but the humor of the moment, controlled himself 
sufficiently to remark very soberly, and with an 
emphasis of alarm: 

“ It is serious." 

“ Serious and absurd," said Melinda, leaning 
back in her chair and folding her arms. 


DOMES TIC A NX IE TIES. 


177 


“ When a man takes to poetry at forty, the 
attack is severe.” 

“ He says,” said Melinda bitterly, “ that she is 
his ideal of a woman.” 

“ Men marry their ideals,” said Dale, shaking 
his head lugubriously. 

“ I told him he was far from being her ideal of 
a man.” 

‘‘Women love their ideals; they never marry 
them.” Dale was determined, now that he had 
her, that Melinda should not escape him. 

His efforts were rewarded by seeing Melinda 
leap from her chair, exasperated. 

“ I must do something to remove him from her 
evil influence,” she exclaimed. 

“ You certainly ought to,” said Dale, shaking 
his head. 

“ If this continues,” cried poor Melinda, all her 
latent fears coming to the surface, under Dale’s 
prodding, “ she will marry Chester in spite of me.” 

Dale evidently thought he had carried his teas- 
ing of Melinda far enough, for now very soberly 
he said: 

“ No, Melinda, you are mistaken. The Count- 
ess Naletoff will never marry Chester.” 

“What do you mean?” asked Melinda sharply. 

“ I mean,” replied Dale, “ that the Countess 
Mura Naletoff will look for a more distinguished 
alliance than one with Chester K. Harlowe.” 


17 ^ Ay AMERICAN CAVALIER, 

“ Do you mean/’ asked Melinda indignantly, 

that she considers herself too good for Chester? ” 

“ Well,” said Dale, laughing, ” I presume that is 
the plain and blunt way of stating the fact. Her 
birth, education, and training lead her to believe 
that the world is divided into two classes — those 
who are noble and those who are not; to the first 
class she belongs and Harlowe does not, since he 
has no title as a handle to his name.” 

And she despises Chester, then?” asked the 
downright Melinda. 

‘‘ By no means,” Dale hastened to say. “ I do 
not doubt but that she respects him highly, 
esteems him as a friend, and would admit him to 
her confidence and friendship. But marry him — 
no, nor any other American, since he is not digni- 
fied, in her eyes, by a title.” 

Melinda was thoughtful but indignant. A 
moment before she had been angered at the 
thought that the countess would marry, or at 
least was striving to marry, her brother. Now, 
inconsistent as it appeared, she was outraged at 
the idea that this foreign guest of theirs would 
not. 

“ Well,” she said, ‘‘ Chester Harlowe is worthy 
of the best woman alive. He’s too good for this 
countess.” 

'' From my standpoint and from yours, yes,” 
replied Dale tactfully. 


DOMESTIC A NXIE TIES. 


179 


If you are right,” suddenly asked Melinda, 
“ why is she trying to make herself so agreeable to 
him? Is she trying to use him? ” 

I should be slow to believe that,” replied Dale. 

Rather I would prefer to believe that she makes 
herself agreeable to Chester from the feminine in- 
stinct of finding pleasure in making herself agree- 
able to others.” 

“ Humph!” was Melinda’s brief comment. 

‘‘ Dismiss all fears as to her designs,” continued 
Dale. There is a fear which to my mind is pres- 
ent, and a serious one.” 

Melinda looked up quickly and apprehensively. 

“ You mean Flossie? ” she asked. 

“ No, I do not,” replied Dale. “ The effect on 
Chester, if he were to contract a passion for this 
very charming woman.” 

“ Paugh! ” exclaimed Melinda, “ if he is so weak 
as to be deluded by a woman he ought to suffer. 
It is merely the punishment he deserves.” 

'' In his case,” said Dale, more thoughtfully than 
was his wont, “ it will be a punishment that will 
last his whole life long.” 

Melinda did not reply. She seemed to be lost 
in thought for some time, and when she did speak 
it was to Dale’s astonishment. 

I never heard you talk so sensibly, James 
Dale.” 

She paused; but her next words showed that 


l8o an AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

she was thinking not of Harlowe but of the 
countess. 

“ I am relieved — though I do doubt yet — by 
what you say, that the countess is merely playings 
with Chester.” 

But I don’t say that,” said Dale. '' I said quite 
the contrary.” 

At this moment Flossie entered the recess, from 
an outer door, bearing a sheet of music which she 
placed on the rack of the piano, and sat herself at 
the keyboard. Tom Bentley followed, and stood 
beside her. Both were apparently without knowl- 
edge that others were in the room, especially that 
Melinda was. 

Flossie, after running over the notes, struck 
the keys. The sound issuing brought Melinda 
about almost with a jump. For a moment she 
could not speak, so astonished was she at the sight. 
Recovering, she drew herself up severely, and 
addressed Bentley. 

, Mr. Bentley! ” 

The music ceased. Flossie and Bentley looked 
around, confused and blushing. 

Mr. Harlowe has gone to your room, Mr. 
Bentley,” she said with all the severity she could 
command. “ He expects to find you there.” 

Bentley came from the recess. 

''Oh!” said the luckless Tom. "Is that so? 
Indeed? I’m — I didn’t — I’ll go to him now.” 


DOMES TIC A NX IE TIES. 


i8l 

As he passed Dale, that philosophic gentleman 
said to him: 

“ Young man, circumspection is the price of 
liberty in this house/' 

“ Confound the lynx-eyed cat! " muttered Tom 
in his mortification, and he left the room. 

“ Flossie," said Melinda to the girl, who had 
been watching Tom's expulsion with suppressed 
merriment, '' your father will be ready for his walk 
soon. Prepare yourself." 

‘‘ Yes,-aunt." 

Flossie went to the door leading to the inner 
apartment. At the door she turned. 

Dad! " she cried in a whisper, as by a gesture 
she attracted her father's attention. 

She executed a few dance steps, expressive of 
her disgust with her aunt, and vanished. Her 
father made an attempt to respond in the same 
way, but was brought up short, in an awkward 
position, by the sudden turning of Melinda. She 
stared at him. 

“ Are you in pain, James? " she asked. 

Seizing upon her question as an excuse he 
admitted he was, and escaped. 


CHAPTER V. 


A RANDOM SHOT. 

There was a lull in the treaty negotiations 
during the days immediately preceding the elec- 
tions of November. If, thereby, Mr. Harlowe 
found more time for scientific investigation and to 
devote to attentions to his fascinating guest and 
client, his family also found time to realize to what 
extent curiosity had been excited as to the mys- 
terious grande dame living in seclusion at the 
Arlington. 

Under any circumstances the countess would 
have sought this seclusion, for she knew that 
Prince Kroupieve was in the capital, moving con- 
spicuously in its society, and she dreaded to meet 
him so long as her affairs hung in the balance. 
But apart from her own feelings in this, Mr. Har- 
lowe believed that their ends would be better 
served if she were to maintain at least a partial 
incognito. He felt that there was a certain weak- 
ness in his position; that the sole motive of his 
interference in the treaty matter was that of 
seeking the protection of a single individual. 
While he could not hope that that motive could be 


A I^iANDOM SHOT. 183 

wholly concealed, yet he thought it wise to take 
every precaution against its being set forth offen- 
sively and emphasized by a conspicuous presenta- 
tion of the object of that motive. Hence he had 
advised not only avoidance of public places and 
social functions, but the temporary abandonment 
of her title. Thus it was that she was known at 
the hotel as Mme. Naletoff. 

Dale had asked, Harlowe if, by - that device, 
he hoped to conceal her presence from Prince 
Kroupieve, and had received for answer the reply 
that he presumed that the prince was not only in- 
formed of the arrival of the countess in Washing- 
ton but of her departure from Northport — a reply 
that gave Dale some uneasiness, since it might be 
implied therefrom that Dale was looked upon as 
the source of information. He sought consola- 
tion in conference with Flossie, who, after admin- 
istering it, came to her uncle and upbraided him for 
supposing such infidelity upon the part of her 
father, to receive the comforting assurance that 
her uncle had not dreamed that such^construction 
could be placed on his words. 

Though the family maintained a strict reserve 
as to the identity of the countess, nevertheless, 
rumor and gossip were busy with her name and 
person. It leaked out that a lady of high rank, 
great beauty, and immense wealth — a Russian — 
was kept in mysterious seclusion in the hotel; and, 


184 


aM AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


where knowledge failed to give the exact items of 
her history, invention stepped in to say that she 
was a noble lady, who had been involved in a deep 
and profound state intrigue, which had for its pur- 
pose the expulsion of Alexander from his throne. 
It was further asserted that her presence in Wash- 
ington had relation to an intrigue as to the pend- 
ing treaty. 

Mr. Harlowe attributed the spread of these 
rumors and gossips to the machinations of Krou- 
pieve, but made no movement to counteract them, 
lest a conflict of statement should cause the curi- 
osity to swell higher. 

But Dale, who had by his peculiar qualities 
quickly made himself welcome in all the grades 
and degrees of society, found himself questioned 
as to the mysterious lady, to the great test of his 
ingenuity. In his loyalty to his brother-in-law he 
pooh-poohed the mystery, laughed at the invented 
history, and affected to know nothing of the busi- 
ness of the lady in Washington, but was willing 
to expatiate at length on her beauty and accom- 
plishments. Many efforts were made, through 
Dale, to draw the lady into the circle of society, 
but all were successfully resisted. The countess 
went nowhere. 

But if the countess did not, Prince Kroupieve 
did. Few of the social festivities did he miss, and 
no one was more frequent in his calls upon the 


A RANDOM SHOT. 


185 

ladies of high official station than he. And all 
the time he concealed his own participation in the 
game of diplomacy which was going forward. He 
was hailed as a devoted man of society, and even 
before the season opened in all of its brilliancy 
came into great vogue. But Dale, who met him 
frequently, and who had resumed at least pleas- 
ant relations with him, was under no delusions. 
He knew that the prince was playing his subtle 
game in this way, and, as well, fondly hoping 
sooner or later to meet the countess. 

At the first reception of a Cabinet lady one day 
in early November, Prince Kroupieve overheard 
the ladies pressing Dale for information concern- 
ing the mysterious lady, and listened with his 
habitual sneer and amused smile to the ingenuity 
of Dale. Later, when opportunity offered, he 
said to Dale: 

'' My friend, you are very adroit.” 

“ You flatter me,” replied Dale, hoping the 
passage would end with the reply. 

The fair ladies,” the prince persisted, do not 
apply to the proper person for information.” 

No,” replied Dale, accepting the inevitable. 

They should apply to you.” 

‘^Precisely! / have no obligations of interest 
or loyalty to the Harlowe to make me reticent.” 

Dale did not fail to appreciate the veiled allusion 
to that passage in Northport when he had severed 


1 86 an A3IERICAN CAVALIER. 

relations with the prince, and he further knew that 
the astute diplomatist was well informed as to 
Mr. Harlowe’s business at the capital at that 
time. So he saw no reason for the maintenance 
of a fiction with the prince, at least. Whereupon, 
and rather to the Russian’s discomfiture, he crashed 
through all the subtleties with this reply: 

‘‘Very true, prince; but we all of us have 
restraining influences to reticence.” 

“ Indeed! But you speak vaguely, dear friend; 
may I ask how? ” 

“ Yes; you, for instance, dear prince, could 
inform these curious dames that the lady in ques- 
tion was the Countess Naletoff, and that she came 
from Russia, where she was one of the ladies of the 
Imperial Court, of high rank and great wealth — 
but you will not.” 

“And why?” replied the prince with a slight 
accession of hauteur. “ Why should I not be free 
to talk of the lady and her business here? ” 

“ Because,” said Dale, striving to relieve his 
words of their weight by the lightness of his man- 
ner, “ because it would reveal your intimacy with 
a matter you are at pains to conceal, and elicit a 
counter statement of your business in this country, 
and, as well, of certain past events in Russia, which 
you would not care to have related in the White 
House.” 

There was a momentary flash of anger in the 


A RANDOM SHOT. 


187 


dark eyes of the Prince, for in the words of Dale, 
however lightly given, there was not only revela- 
tion of the knowledge of the one weakness of the 
prince’s position, but of a threat to exert the 
power that knowledge gave, and Kroupieve knew 
the close relation of Dale to the President. But 
the diplomat rose and the man fell. With a laugh 
he said: 

“ This air of government is to you, my dear 
Dale, developing. That last remark was quite a 
stroke of diplomacy. But let us not get into mis- 
understandings of each other. Here is my hand. 
I have no other interest in the lady than that she 
is a countrywoman of whom I am proud.” 

They shook hands in apparent friendship. But 
neither had the slightest confidence in the other. 

When Mr. Harlowe heard of this episode, which 
he promptly did, and from Dale, he applauded his 
brother-in-law for his readiness and declared it 
was a victory well won. 

A train of events, however, issued from this 
meeting between the prince and Dale that the law- 
yer did not anticipate, nor could he have conjec- 
tured them. For one thing it brought out Prince 
Kroupieve from his cover. 

Convinced that Dale’s intimacy with the Presi- 
dent was the result of profound diplomacy on 
the part of Mr. Harlowe, the prince gave to that 
intimacy a greater importance than the facts war- 


1 88 AN’ AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

ranted. Perhaps, in view of the relations of the 
various people, it is not surprising that the prince 
was led to think as he did. It is to be noted that 
in the affairs of this life there is a curious tendency 
toward averages, and that the profoundly able man 
is quite as likely to miss the truth by plunging too 
deeply for it, as his more simple brother who does 
not plunge deeply enough. The records of the 
diplomacy in which this Government has borne a 
part show that we have come away from the 
struggle with as many prizes as our antagonists 
have carried off; and this, in face of the fact that 
the diplomats of the Old World were those highly 
trained in the art and science of diplomacy, while 
ours have been precipitated into the conflict with- 
out training of any kind, and stronger in their 
ignorance than anything else. The simplicity 
which dealt most narrowly with the simple facts 
before them has sufficed to match the trained arts 
which took so broad a view and saw so many 
things that they lost the real points in their con- 
sideration of the scientific refinements they had 
conjured up. 

So with Prince Kroupieve; in the language of 
our own philosopher, “ He saw too many things 
that weren’t so.” The truth was that no one 
was more astonished than Mr. Harlowe when he 
learned that Dale had established such intimate 
relations with the President. It had at no time 


A RANDOM SHOT. 


89 


entered into his mind to make use of Dale with the 
President. And there were several reasons why 
he should not have done so. In the first place, it 
was one of Dale’s peculiarities that he invariably 
gained intimate relations with the chief person 
wherever he was, and that he gained nothing else; 
no one ever knew of a benefit, either to himself or 
to his friends, accruing from such relation, for if 
such an idea had entered his head, he would 
not have known how to set about its accom- 
plishment; he knew, also, that Dale’s friendship 
with the President was based wholly upon Dale’s 
power to amuse the great man in the hours of his 
relaxation; and, chief reason of all, Harlowe knew 
only too well Dale’s utter incompetency to carry 
forward a matter of moment, and his fatal per- 
versity and propensity for taking the path that 
ended in defeat. While he had come off brilliantly 
in his skirmish with the prince, his achievement 
was the outcome of the inspiration of the moment ; 
had it been suggested to him, the result would 
have been dire failure. 

Kroupieve, however, taking the view that Dale’s 
covert threat had been suggested by Mr. Harlowe, 
and was not a random shot that Dale had not 
dreamt of firing a second before the discharge, 
felt annoyed with himself for having offered the 
opening, and alarmed over his belief that the law- 
yer had effected a lodgment where it was to be 


190 AN AMERICAN CAVA/JER, 

dreaded, in the White House itself. He set about 
an effort at counteraction, and, coming from under 
his cover, sought and secured an interview — un- 
official, sans c^remonie — with the President, dur- 
ing the course of which he permitted that great 
dignitary to learn that he possessed vast and 
special powers from his Imperial Master, though 
he did not present them. 

In this he gained an advantage over Mr. Har- 
lowe the value and danger of which the lawyer 
was not slow to apprehend and measure. It is 
true he thought subsequently that it was to a 
degree counterbalanced by the greater confidence 
ol the Secretary of the State, Williams, who 
seemed to see in this act of the President justifi- 
cation for greater freedom with Harlowe. 

I fear,” said Mr. Harlowe to Bentley on the 
day he learned of this interview, ‘‘ that this fore- 
shadows a speedy consummation of these negotia- 
tions. I must surely invent something for delay.” 

‘‘Consummation must be expected soon,” 
replied Bentley. “ The meeting of Congress is 
but a month away.” 

“ Yes,” said Harlowe, much troubled and pac- 
ing up and down the apartment with his quick, 
nervous tread. “ Yes, only a month away, and I 
have not the slightest idea as to what effect my 
arguments have had.” 

“ Your points as to the retroactive effect of the 


A RANDOM SH07\ 


191 

clauses, as they stand in the articles, are before the 
Attorney General for an opinion,” said Tom. 

“ Ah ! W e only suppose so.” 

” No,” positively returned Tom. “ I know so. 
I learned that from a friend of mine in the Depart- 
ment — close in his employment to the Attorney 
General.” 

“ And the Attorney General is trending in 
which direction ” 

“Ah! that I don’t know. My friend would 
regard the telling of that as a betrayal of con- 
fidence.” 

“ Well,” said Harlowe, “ if I could only learn 
the day that the Attorney General returns that 
opinion, I would put in another point for delay. 
I must keep the matter open until the latter part of 
this month of November.” 

Tom looked up inquiringly at Mr. Harlowe, 
hardly daring to ask for a confidence which Mr. 
Harlowe seemed to withhold. 

“ I am anxious,” continued Mr. Harlowe, “ that 
the Senator who is the Chairman of the Commit- 
tee on Foreign Relations should arrive in Wash- 
ington before the negotiations are wholly closed. 
Naturally, once on the ground, he will be con- 
sulted as to the terms of the treaty, since the 
administration must rely upon him for the con- 
firmation of it. I am well acquainted with him; 
we grew quite intimate in the conduct of a long 


192 AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

and important litigation a few years ago; we repre- 
sented different interests on the same side. I am 
quite certain I can influence him to my way of 
thinking. But he will not reach Washington 
until the first of the month.’' 

“ Mr. Harlowe,” asked Tom somewhat timidly, 
“ suppose you should fail to carry your point in 
this matter before the treaty is sent to the Senate, 
what resource is left?” 

I mustn’t fail,” said Mr. Harlowe energet- 
ically. “ I cannot fail. I must win. To have that 
treaty go to the Senate in its present shape means 
that we must undertake to defeat its confirmation. 
That is too formidable an undertaking. The 
treaty is popular, and I am afraid the Senate 
would not take a disputed construction of a clause 
as sufficient justification for defeating the whole 
treaty. No; I must not fail.” 

Working in the dark is most discouraging labor. 
Under the direction and guidance of Mr. Harlowe, 
Tom had worked hard, and as he could see no 
visible results of the industry of the two, it is 
feared that he had become rather hopeless. 

Had Mr. Harlowe had an idea of the frame of 
mind in which the Prince Kroupieve had returned 
from his interview with the President, he would 
have plucked up hopes. The President apparently 
had conceded to Russia everything except the one 
point that Prince Kroupieve, more than Russia, 


A RANDOM SHOT. 


193 


desired, and that evidently was still in doubt. He 
would have been also astounded at a resolution 
the prince had formed before he was driven from 
the gates of the White House — astounded, if not 
alarmed and bewildered. 


CHAPTER VI. 


A SURPRISING CHANGE. 

Prince Kroupieve did not expect to advance 
the matter of the disputed clause when he sought 
audience with the President. But he did hope to 
obtain a clearer idea of the trend of the Presiden- 
tial mind than was shown in the notes which had 
been exchanged between the two powers. 

It was understood that the visit of the prince 
was to have no official significance, but the inter- 
course of the two great men was marked by all 
the diplomatic reserve and courtesy of an ambas- 
sadorial ceremony. In common with his con- 
freres of the trained school, the prince held the 
diplomatic skill of the representatives of the re- 
public in small esteem, and had made certain that 
he had set himself an easy task. But when, at the 
close of the audience, he found that he was still 
left to surmise the Presidential trend of mind, his 
esteem was a little larger and his conceit a little 
smaller. The great chosen of the people had been 
quite as courtly and meaningless in phrase as he 
himself had been. However, from the President’s 
reticence and evasion the prince drew the disturb- 


194 


A SURPRISING CHANGE. 


195 


ing conclusion that the matter in which he had 
a deep personal interest had not the tendency of 
direction he desired. 

His resolution, therefore, taken upon his appre- 
hensions rather than upon precise information, 
was that he would immediately institute the 
policy of delay. This would give him time to de- 
vise some means of combating the impression he 
was convinced Mr. Harlowe had made, and would 
also give him time to put into execution, and de- 
termine the effect thereof, of a plan he had con- 
ceived to accomplish his great desire outside of 
the treaty. 

The first move in this plan, which was put into 
execution a week later, filled Mr. Harlowe with 
amazement by its audacity. Through the good 
offices of his friend, the Secretary of State, he had 
been informed of the delay in the treaty negotia- 
tions. As it was in the line of his desires, he sat 
himvSelf down to wait patiently the developments. 

On the day in question, when he was busy with 
his scientific researches. Dale burst in on him in 
great haste. 

“ Chester,” he cried, “ I quite forgot yesterday 
to deliver a message with which I was intrusted. 
The message was not to you, but I suppose it 
ought to be delivered through you. Prince Krou- 
pieve desired me to announce that to-day he will 
wait upon the Countess Naletoff.” 


196 


AN- AMERICAN CA VALTER. 


'‘The Prince Kroupieve! '' exclaimed Mr. Har- 
lowe, springing to his feet in amazement. “ Krou- 
pieve? Impossible ! ’’ 

“ Oh, no! ” replied Dale, laughing at the 
T?urprise of his brother-in-law, “ not impossible, 
however astounding it may be. He certainly did 
announce his intention of visiting the countess.’^ 

“ Well,’' said Harlowe, “ I like his impudence." 

“ No, you don’t,” said Dale. “ You dislike it 
very much. I fear you are falling into bad tricks 
of speech, for the precise, dried-up, mummified 
old lawyer that you are.” 

Mr. Harlowe did not heed the chaff of his 
brother-in-law. • 

“Kroupieve!” he repeated. “Calls upon the 
Countess Naletoff ! ” 

“If it will conduce to a clear understanding of 
the important communication of which I am the 
truthful bearer, I will repeat it once more,” said 
Dale, enjoying Harlowe’s amazement. 

“ Well,” said Harlowe positively, “ she must 
decline to see him.” 

“ My sapient and astute brother-in-law, you are 
wrong,” said Dale. 

“ Why?” 

“ Because Prince Kroupieve does nothing from 
impulse; he has a purpose in this; he is working 
some new scheme of which this call is a part. He 
cannot hurt the countess if she does receive 


A SURPRISING CHANGE. 


197 


him, and he may discover to you, oh, follower of 
Lycurgus and Galen, something of that scheme.” 

Harlowe looked up at Dale with a smile. 

Out of the mouth of a babe comes wisdom,” 
he said. 

“ Not correctly quoted,” said Dale, '' but it will 
pass, since I am credited with wisdom. The mes- 
sage delivered. I’m off. There is to be a Cabinet 
meeting this morning, and some of that wisdom, 
heretofore undiscovered by you, may be required 
on state affairs.” 

He went off with a light laugh, leaving Har- 
lowe absorbed in thought. 

I presume I must inform the countess,” he 
said at length, arousing himself to cross the room 
to touch the bell. 

“ Hang his audacity ! ” he exclaimed to him- 
self as he turned from the bell. His cold-blood- 
edness is too much for my civilization. I suppose 
he will come here with his gentle, suave, elegant 
manner, just as if he had not hounded all her rela- 
tives into the grave or Siberia and driven her out 
of her country! And the countess? I suppose 
that if she does receive him, it will be with a polite 
self-possession and command, repressing all feel- 
ing. That’s the training of their grand world.” 

. The hotel servant entered in response to the 
bell. 

My compliments to Mme. Naletoff,” in- 


19S AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

structed Mr. Harlowe, “ and say to her that I have 
just been informed that Prince Kroupieve will 
wait upon her this morning.” 

The servant left the room. The lawyer shook 
his head gravely, and said aloud: 

Duplicity and politeness; they have the same 
meaning in this century’s dictionary.” 

During the episode which had ended with his 
message to the countess, he had held in his hand 
the paper he was busy with when Dale entered. 
It now attracted his attention. He tried to renew 
his interest in it. 

“ I am tending in the right direction, I am 
sure,” he said to himself. But it is a vast sub- 
ject, though it is embraced in two questions: 
What parts of the physical body are affected by 
the various emotions and passions, and how? 
What drugs affect the various parts of the physical 
body, and how? The answers are complex, but, 
once obtained, my conception is realized.” 

He went back to the cabinet and laid it out of 
his hand. 

“Ah, countess!” he said, “the day is not far 
distant when you will be proud to recall that Har- 
lowe, the great scientist, was once your counsel — 
proud to know that he was ready to lay at your 
feet ” 

He stopped short and turned from the cabinet 
with a gesture of impatient disgust. 


A SURPRISING CHANGE. 199 

^'Ahl it is a dream — a wild, absurd, imprac- 
ticable dream. How could I interest a young, 
lovely, high-born lady! ” 

He threw himself into an easy-chair and fell into 
a reverie, from which he was aroused by the hur- 
ried entrance of the countess. 

What is this message you did send me, dear 
Mr. Harlowe? she asked, evidently much 
troubled. 

Mr. Harlowe rose hastily and offered her a chair. 

The Prince Kroupieve dares to call upon 
me? she continued, too much excited to heed 
the proffer. 

“ That is his announcement, made to Dale,” he 
replied. 

“ I will not receive him,” said the countess, seat- 
ing herself, and looking up at the lawyer as if ex- 
pecting approval of her determination. 

“ That was my own first impulsive thought,” 
replied Mr. Harlowe, but I owe to Dale the 
suggestion that such a course would be un- 
wise.” 

“ And why?” 

“ Prince Kroupieve, Dale says, is a man who 
never moves from impulse ” 

“ Very true.” 

'' And therefore, in waiting upon you, he has 
some purpose to serve.” 

“ Unquestionably.” 


200 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


'' Therefore, that purpose must be a part of 
some new scheme he is putting into execution.” 

“ I will not disbelieve it; but, if so, what then? 
Why should I see him? ” 

“ Because, to be informed of his plans or 
schemes is to be prepared to foil them. He may 
in his conversation, or in unfolding the purpose 
of his call, reveal at least a suggestion of his plan.” 
‘‘ Ah!” 

• The countess was silent, knitting her brows into 
a bewitching frown. 

“ You do not like the idea of meeting him? ” 
asked Mr. Harlowe. 

“ I do not, my friend,” said the countess ear- 
nestly. “ The man is associated with three years 
of horror.” 

“ Evidently he has changed his tactics,” said 
Mr. Harlowe guardedly. From pressing the 
negotiations to a close, he has turned to delaying 
them. Why? His call might reveal that.” 

'' I will meet him,” said the countess. “ He can 
do me no h^rm here.” 

“ Then will you permit me to offer some sug- 
gestions? ” asked the lawyer. 

Give me instructions,” the countess replied, 
smiling upon the lawyer trustingly. 

“ Be very guarded in all you say to him. Com- 
mit yourself to nothing. If he asks as to informa- 
tion of your plans, give him none. If he asks you 


A SURPRISING CHANGE. 


201 


to do anything, temporize. On no account sign 
anything, however insignificant in appearance. 
Promise nothing; admit nothing. Induce him to 
talk; heed everything he says; recollect all, that 
you may repeat it to me.'’ 

“ Repeat it to you? Will you not be present? " 
Not if we are to learn anything. If the plan 
is to prevent him from doing or saying anything, 
I will remain." 

The countess shuddered, but merely replied: 
Very well." 

At this moment a servant entered, bearing a 
card, and saying: 

“ For the Countess Naletoff." 

Mr. Harlowe rose hastily, and, taking the card, 
handed it to the countess. 

“ It is he," said he. Go now and prepare to 
meet him. I will receive him, and detain, or en- 
tertain him, as you will, until you return." 

The countess, her face stern and pale, left the 
room. Mr. Harlowe told the servant to show the 
prince up. 

“ Now for my first open battle with the wily 
Russ," he said. 

The prince was shown into the apartment in a 
few moments, elegant, composed, and distin- 
guished. The two had never met before. Mr. 
Harlowe advanced politely to meet the visitor. 

‘‘Mistare Harlowe, I presume? " said the prince. 


202 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


The lawyer bowed in acquiescence, and asked 
the prince to be seated. If the diplomat was an- 
noyed or disappointed in being greeted by Mr. 
Marlowe rather than by the lady to whom he had 
sent his card, he did not betray it. He seated him- 
self with the remark, ingratiatingly made: 

“ It pleases me much to meet the distinguished 
Mr. Marlowe.” 

“ I am honored, prince,” replied the lawyer, and 
was about to seat himself, when he realized that 
the visitor had taken a seat near a table covered 
with papers relating to his efforts against the 
treaty, and he noted that the prince swept them 
all with a comprehensive glance. 

He went to the table in some haste and gathered 
the papers up, not failing to notice the amused 
and sarcastic smile of the prince as he watched. 

“ I have been using my parlor for an office,” he 
said in excuse, as he carried the papers to his 
cabinet. 

“ And for a study, if all I hear is true.” 

Mr. Marlowe turned a look of surprised inquiry 
upon the prince, who answered it in words: 

“ I am told that you have made one great dis- 
covery in medicine.” 

The lawyer, surprised, was keenly suspicious, 
but the Russian’s face showed only interest in the 
remark he made, and the lawyer again learned 
how well informed he was on all matters, however 


A SaRFjRISiNG CHANCE, 203 

slightly bearing on the subject he had in hand. 
Mr. Harlowe replied gravely: 

“ No, prince; not medicine; perhaps chemis- 
try — yes.’' 

“Ah!” replied the prince courteously. “It is 
not the same. But the discovery is of great value, 
I am informed. It will make the name of Harlowe 
still more celebrated.” 

Alas! Poor, weak human nature! The strong 
man, attacked on his weak point, was found vul- 
nerable. 

“ I will not be guilty of false modesty, prince,” 
he said, “ and deny its great value. Its influence, 
when generally understood, will be very great. 
You perceive that the weaknesses of mankind 
lead to its disasters, and ” 

“ Is it a recent discovery? ” interrupted the 
prince, willing to flatter Mr. Harlowe, but unwill- 
ing to bored by a description. 

“ Quite recent,” replied Mr. Harlowe, fairly 
launched. “ As I was saying, the weaknesses of 
mankind lead to its disasters; the emotions and 
passions are the cause of a great part of such dis- 
asters, and ” 

“ Do you devote much time to its study? ” 
again politely interrupted the prince. 

“As much as I can spare from — ahem! — other 
matters,” he replied: 

To himself he said: 


So4 AM AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

I wish I could get him interested/’ 

‘‘ Prince,” he said aloud, “ I should like to ex- 
plain this great science.” 

“ I should be delighted,” replied the other, but 
I fear it is too great a subject for the brief time 
now at my command.” 

‘‘ It is not abstruse,” urged Mr. Harlowe, and 
then, as an idea occurred to him, he exclaimed in 
an under breath: 

“ Phew! Blue vitriol prevents lying. The 
prince is a liar. If I could, Pd make him tell the 
truth in spite of himself.” 

lie went to the cabinet, and, filling a syringe 
from a vial of blue vitriol, he came back. 

“ It is the principle of inoculation by drugs. By 
a simple experiment upon you I would explain the 
whole science.” 

The prince leaped to his feet, actually fright- 
ened. A man who is calm before a pistol quakes 
at the sight of the scalpel. 

“On me!” he cried. “You puncture me wiz 
zat! Pardon! I am not the rabbit for the doctaire 
to kill.” 

He muttered under his breath: 

“ The lawyaire is a madman.” 

Harlowe, with a disappointed air, returned the 
syringe to the cabinet, remarking inaudibly that 
it was very difficult to obtain a subject, but to the 
prince he said with a smile: 


A SUJiPRlSWG chance. 205 

I fear, prince, science, or, at least, this science, 
is not attractive to you. However, metal more 
attractive will soon appear. I have sent your card 
to the Countess Naletoff.” 

The prince bowed and said: 

“ You are very amiable to the countess. Russia, 
in the person of its humble representative, thanks 
you for 3wir courtesy to its distinguished or- 
nament.” 

There was more than the suggestion of a sneer, 
of hidden sarcasm, and Mr. Harlowe did not fail 
to catch its tone, but he answered as if he had per- 
ceived neither. 

“ The countess is a charming woman. She con- 
fers pleasure when she permits the attention.” 

“ The court, however,” continued the prince, 
“ deplores her long absence. I was but recently 
informed, Mr. Harlowe, that the lady was living 
under your protection.” 

The falsehood emphasized the sneer that crept 
out, in spite of the effort to conceal it, and 
Mr. Harlowe, seeing his opportunity, promptly 
seized it. 

“ Pardon me, prince. That was a somewhat 
awkward phrase, if you will permit me to suggest. 
It is open to a sinister construction. The count- 
ess is the guest of Miss Harlowe and myself.” 

“Pardon!” replied the prince with great self- 
possession ; “ it was the awkwardness of the for- 


2o6 


AN AMERICAN CA VALlER. 


eigner, not entirely in command of the language 
he attempts.” 

“ So I supposed,” said Mr. Harlowe dryly. 

“ And,” continued the prince, “ I have won- 
dered how the intimacy ” 

“ Friendship, prince,” interrupted Harlowe. 

“ Thank you — friendship began.” 

‘‘ Through Mr. Marsters,” briefly answered the 
lawyer. 

” Ah! ” said the Russian, '' it is a charming man 
— Mr. Marsters.” 

“ Yes,” replied Mr. Harlowe, keenly suspicious. 
“ Mr. Marsters will be delighted with your high 
opinion.” 

It was now the prince’s turn to be suspicious. 

” Does the eccentric fool make game of me? ” 
he muttered to himself, but, concealing an air of 
annoyance, he went on easily: 

” I did have the honor of the acquaintance of 
the countess in Russia. Our families were not in- 
timate, for some quarrel of generations ago did 
divide them. So foolish! I have none but the 
highest regard for the lady. Indeed, I have taken 
steps to bring about a closer relation.” 

“ Yes,” thought Mr. Harlowe. “ Persecution, 
banishment, assassination, murder — a few little 
things like that.” 

“ But,” continued the prince, the lady has 
made a great mistake. I fear her estates are con- 


A SURPRISING CHANGE, 207 

fiscate. She did leave Russia without the consent 
of her Imperial Master.” 

” And is the Czar’s consent necessary before a 
subject can leave Russia? ” asked Mr. Harlowe. 

The prince shrugged his shoulders and replied: 

“ The position of high rank carries with it obli- 
gations. Russia is jealous of her nobles. She 
requires them to be in attendance upon the Em- 
peror. To absent one’s self without permission is 
as if an officer of the army did depart without 
leave.” 

To a simple American citizen,” said Mr. Har- 
lowe, “ who knows nothing of royal courts or the 
obligations of rank, the restrictions on the indi- 
vidual seem hard.” 

“ You have not an august master who demands 
attention,” briefly explained the prince. 

“August master!” exclaimed Mr. Harlowe. 
“ Why, prince, we have more august masters in 
this country than you can count. We are all 
august masters. Therein lies our freedom. But 
to see the real august master of America, you 
should go to our larger cities. There you will find 
him in the fullness of his power. He does every- 
thing for us. He appoints our public servants, 
names our police, makes our laws, fixes our tax 
rates, which he graciously permits us to pay, 
selects the candidates for us to vote for — he is the 
august master of America. We call him a political 


So8 A/\r AMERICAN CA VALIER. 

boss, and we kick him into the air about every so 
often.’^ 

Kroiipieve laughed heartily. 

'' You are facetious,” he said. “ You ” 

But his remark was interrupted by the entrance 
of the countess. 


CHAPTER VII. 


VERBAL FENCE. 

Both rose as the lady made h^r appearance. 
The prince, with great deference and grand man- 
ner, advanced, bowed low before her, and, extend- 
ing his hand, escorted her to a seat. 

Mr. Harlowe with conflicting emotions watched 
the exchange of courtesies, conscious of a feeling 
of jealousy, which he condemned as he appreciated 
it, and of an irritation which, absurdly enough, 
went out to the countess rather than to the priiice, 
noting withal, and with pride, her superb self- 
possession and nobility of bearing. There seemed 
to be almost regal condescension in the manner of 
her salutation of the prince. In truth, the count- 
ess was much more at home with this product 
of the civilization in which she had been trained 
than with the plain people with whom she had 
latterly been living, and who, notwithstanding 
her deep respect for them, sometimes confused 
her by their very directness and simplicity. 

The lawyer, noting all this, retired to the door 
leading to an adjoining apartment. 

309 


2 10 


AJV AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


Bowing the countess into her chair, the prince 
said: 

“ The pleasure of meeting the countess again 
is not mitigated by finding her upon foreign 
soil.’^ 

“ A pleasure the prince has been slow to avail 
himself of,” replied the countess. 

At the door Mr. Harlowe shrugged his shoul- 
ders and addressed the prince: 

“ Prince, your pardon! ” 

The Russian nobleman, scrupulously observant 
of minor etiquette, rose and bowed. 

“ Countess! ” said Mr. Harlowe, bowing and re- 
tiring through the door. 

“ My knowledge of madame’s presence in Wash- 
ington is recent,” said the prince, turning again 
to the countess. 

The lady looked upon him with a queer, incredu- 
lous smile. She knew it was unblushingly untrue, 
and that not a movement of her own for three 
months had been unknown to him. But she re- 
plied indifferently: 

” Others of my compatriots have been as slow 
in learning of my presence.” 

Kroupieve lifted his eyebrows in polite inquiry, 
and the lady answered: 

Attaches oi the Embassy.” 

'‘Can madame wonder at that?” asked the 
prince, now boldly dropping the fiction. 


VERBAL FENCE. 


2II 


“ I do wonder,” replied the lady. “ There are 
many here whom I have met at St. Petersburg.” 

“ Surely,” remarked the prince, with an excel- 
lent affectation of solicitous interest, ‘‘ you must 
understand your position here.” 

“ Oh, yes; I am the guest of an American gen- 
tleman.” 

” Did not madame leave Russia contrary to the 
instructions of her Imperial Master? ” 

The countess hesitated in her reply, and cast a 
side glance at the prince to catch his intent look. 
Then, very coolly and with no little arrogance, she 
answered: 

“ You are misinformed, prince.” 

The reply, evidently, was not what he expected, 
for he paused for a moment or two. Then he 
said: 

“ Ah! The Embassy has received such instruc- 
tions from St. Petersburg.” 

That the countess thought might or might not 
be true, but she had no doubt that, were the pur- 
pose of the prince to be served by it, such instruc- 
tions had been lodged with the Ambassador. 
Such consideration inspired her reply, made with 
accentuated indifference: 

“ Yes, I presume so. I have a friend in Russia — 
or he may not be there now — who works my dis- 
advantage where possible.” 

Kroupieve covertly scrutinized the countess. 


212 


A AT AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


'' I have begged the Ambassador,” he said 
gently, ” to delay action until I could confer with 
madanie.” 

The countess was frightened; there were un- 
known terrors in the word. 

“ Action? ” she repeated, plainly discovering 
her alarm. 

The prince deftly concealed the smile of triumph 
that sprang to his lips on his discovery that he 
had penetrated her indifference, and almost hum- 
bly said: 

‘‘ I am madame’s sincere friend — more, would 
she but believe.” 

‘‘ Then it is to your wish to serve me that I 
may attribute your call.” She had recovered her 
self-possession. 

“ Madame judges me correctly.” 

'' Your words are strange in the light of his- 
tory,” laughed the countess tauntingly. '' A 
Kroupieve tenders service to a Naletoff.” 

‘'Ah, madame! Time composes differences. 
The world moves. Neither you nor I can tell how 
that quarrel arose. I would let those differences 
be buried with the past, and tender the hand of 
friendship and service. Nay,” he added impres- 
sively, “ were I permitted, a Kroupieve would 
tender more to a Naletoff.” 

The countess veiled an involuntary shudder in 
her laughing reply. 


VERBA t. EEA^CE. 


213 


Ah, prince! Less than a generation ago such 
a remark would not have been made by a Krou- 
pieve, and if made would have been accepted only 
as an insult by a Naletoff/' 

“ Madame does not take me seriously,” replied 
Kroupieve, flushing slightly under the contempt 
of her last words. “ Yet her words prove the 
truth of my assertion. The world moves; we are 
wiser.” 

“ No,” replied the lady, looking him steadily in 
the eyes, with a smile strangely at variance with 
her tone and words. “ No; they prove that all 
the males of my tribe are in Siberia, dead or im- 
prisoned.” 

“ Madame has been most unfortunate,” he said 
sympathetically. 

Stung by his hypocrisy, the countess was at no 
pains to conceal her sneer. 

“Oh! I am certain I can rely on your sym- 
pathy.” 

Kroupieve rose and bowed with respect and 
humility. 

“ Madame only does me justice.” 

The hollow mockery of this fencing was too 
much for the woman. She rose to her feet im- 
pulsively. 

“Justice!” she cried. “Pray, do not use that 
word. It is not familiar to the tongue of a 
Russian.” 


214 


AJV AMERICAN CA VALIER, 


The prince was quite as much irritated, but he 
was under better control. 

“ Madame is bitter,” he said, continuing warn- 
ingly. “ I beg you will remember that I am at- 
tached to the person of the Emperor — that she 
will not say anything to her prejudice that I am 
compelled to report.” 

“Ah!” 

She had stung him at last. There was a note of 
triumph in her exclamation as she appreciated the 
opening he had unwittingly offered. 

“ Then — then am I to look upon Prince Krou- 
pieve as a ” — she stopped and added significantly 
— “ other than as a friend? ” 

The prince was momentarily confused. He 
could have bitten out his tongue for his unguarded 
speech, and did not require the pronunciation of 
the word to know that she meant “ spy.” But his 
recovery was adroit. 

“ By no means,” he said calmly, and with great 
dignity. “ But as I am sworn in loyalty and 
truthfulness to the Emperor, I ask that I may 
not be placed in a position where I must prevari- 
cate.” 

Despite her disappointment that he had so 
readily evaded the position into which she had 
tried to force him, she could not but admire the 
adroitness with which he had escaped her. 

She returned to her seat. 


VERBAL FEiXCE. 215 

“ Ah! ” she said. “ It is the Russian nobleman 
who speaks.” 

“ And the humble admirer of the Countess 
Naletoff,” he replied politely, even tenderly, “ who 
would, if acceptable, offer advice.” 

The countess was guarded at all points; the 
Greek was bearing gifts. But she asked indif- 
ferently: 

And that advice is? ” 

Kroupieve went to her chair and bent over her. 

“ That you return to Russia immediately, and 
precede your return with a notification of your 
voluntary action.” 

The purpose was out ; the intent of the call was 
plain. The countess looked up smilingly and 
shrewdly into his face. 

“ You are solicitous, prince,” she said. 

The prince stepped back and bowed profoundly. 

“ For your welfare, always, madame.” 

Nothing could exceed her haughty arrogance 
as, languidly moving her fan, she replied: 

“ Yes; I have already experienced that solici- 
tude.” 

It was her tone a^ well as her words that 
angered Kroupieve. He bit his lips in his efforts 
to suppress his angry reply, and when he did speak 
it was in a stern, loud, and threatening tone, which 
reached the ears of Mr. Harlowe in the adjoining 
apartment. 


2i6 


AA^ AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


“ Believe me, madame, to return would be far 
the wiser course/’ 

“ I had an enemy in Russia, who made my life 
there a burden,” replied the countess sternly, de- 
lighting in the anger she had excited. 

” An enemy can make your life a burden here.” 

Mr. Harlowe appeared at the door in time to 
hear the reply, so tauntingly made. 

“ Prince, the road to Siberia is very long from 
America. I remain in this country.” 

Kroupieve threw off all reserve. 

“Voluntary is far better than compulsory re- 
turn,” he said angrily. 

“Hold there!” cried Mr. Harlowe, striding 
firmly into the room. “ No legal power can com- 
pel the countess to return. If you threaten 
abduction ” 

The countess started to her feet in alarm. 

Kroupieve stepped back. 

“ Threaten? ” he repeated angrily. 

“ I warn you,” continued Mr. Harlowe, “ that 
here justice promptly follows outrage upon a 
woman.” 

“ You misapprehend my words wholly,” said 
the prince, shaking with anger. 

“ I am glad I do,” replied Mr. Harlowe sternly. 
“ But the warning stands.” 

“ And with it you will give an apology for your 
singular address to me,” sneered the prince. 


VERBAL FENCE. 


217 


“ Not a single apology,” replied Mr. Harlowe, 
in a tone and manner that showed he meant what 
he said. My address and attitude are justified by 
your own forfeiture of consideration, when you de- 
scend to threaten a woman sheltered by my 
roof.” 

“I threatened!” sardonically laughed the 
prince. “ The barbarian does not understand the 
use of his own language.” 

The barbarian,” returned Mr. Harlowe, not 
one whit discomposed, understands how to 
sweep aside polite fiction and diplomatic phrase, 
and go straight to your purpose and intention, un- 
deterred by your sneers and arrogance.” 

The prince stared at the lawyer an instant, then 
going to the table took from it his hat and cane, 
and thence to the door, at which he turned and 
addressed the countess sneeringly: 

Madame the countess is to be congratulated 
upon the protection • under which she is living. 
Its knightliness, however, must be strange and 
surprising to one of her refinement.” 

'Tt is,” promptly replied the countess, “ in that 
it compels my respect and esteem, just as its chiv- 
alry must be beyond the comprehension of the one 
known as the flower of Alexander’s court.” 

“Ah! It shall be tested and its real quality 
discovered.” 

The prince, with a bow to the countess which 


2i8 


A AT AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


pointedly ignored Mr. Harlowe, walked through 
the door with great deliberation. 

The Countess Naletoff turned to Mr. Harlowe 
with beaming eyes that told their gratitude and 
admiration, her face suffused with a slight blush. 
She went to him, laying her hand in his: 

In my defense,’' she said tenderly and in 
trembling accents, “ you have made a powerful 
enemy.” 

“ I hope so, countess,” he replied. '' He was 
your enemy before he became mine.” 


/ 


CHAPTER VIII. 

A MEMORABLE DAY. 

Days passed and there were no demonstrations 
from Prince Krotipieve. From his visit to the 
countess Mr. Harlowe concluded that the Russian 
diplomat, foreseeing defeat in the matter he was 
personally interested in, had endeavored to 
frighten the countess into a return to Russia, and 
in this belief rested content. 

As the 1st of December approached, however, 
several things occurred to disturb Mr. Harlowe 
from this comfortable assurance. From the Sec- 
retary of State he learned that no determination 
had been reached upon the points which he had 
raised on the disputed clauses; and from Dale that 
the prince, after his first audience with the Presi- 
dent, had become a frequent caller at the White 
House, where he was made welcome; in short, 
that the President had taken an unaccountable, 
yet characteristic, fancy to the Russian. 

This alarmed Mr. Harlowe, and he would have 
been still more disturbed and bewildered could he 
have known that he was the object of an intrigue 
upon the part of the prince — bewildered because 


319 


220 


AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


it would have appeared as if Kroupieve was 
actuated by motives of friendliness and was ad- 
vancing Harlowe’s ambition. Of this intrigue, 
however, the lawyer had not even suspicion, but 
the information he received from the Secretary, led 
him to address himself to ingenious and energetic 
efforts at further delay, and he besought the Secre- 
tary to receive further briefs on points hitherto un- 
touched by him. Whether the delay which ensued 
was due to his efforts or not, certain it is that 
Congress assembled on the first Monday in Decem- 
ber, and the treaty articles were not transmitted to 
the Senate. 

But there came a day in which matters moved 
with astonishing rapidity — a day forever after 
memorable in the minds of all concerned. 

On the morning of this day — it was in early 
December — Tom Bentley entered the general par- 
lor, where the countess had received the prince, 
searching for Mr. Harlowe. That morning, also, 
Mr. Marsters had arrived in Washington, fresh 
from his return from Mexico, and Mr. Harlowe 
had carried his partner to his own room for a con- 
sultation on what he believed to be his final and 
most important move in the game which he had 
been playing for four months. 

Not finding Mr. Harlowe, Tom sat down to 
look over the papers which he carried. 

“ Surely,^’ he said aloud, ^^Mr. Harlowe can only 


A MEMORABLE DAY. 


221 


mean this brief for delay. It is very weak; besides 
I do not believe he wants to say what he has said. 
I have made no mistake; it is just what his notes 
say. Well, I won’t take the risk of sending it to 
the State Department until I have referred it to 
him.” 

While he was poring over the paper Flossie 
entered the room. She came forward a step or 
two eagerly, but checked herself, frowned slightly, 
and went to the piano in the recess, where she 
struck a note or two. 

Tom Bentley jumped up, and, seeing Flossie, 
bowed gallantly. 

'' Good-morning, Mr. Bentley,” said Flossie 
coldly. 

“ Mister Bentley,” exclaimed Tom, surprised 
at her coldness and resenting it. “ Good-morn- 
ing, Miss Dale. You are very formal this 
morning.” 

“ Not any more than you were last night at the 
reception,” replied Flossie, with a badly executed 
attempt at indifference. “ I believe you did bow 
to me once last night.” 

''Ah! did I?” returned Tom, pleased to find 
the young lady displeased. “ I am surprised I 
could do even that.” 

" Yes,” very spitefully. Your politeness is 
surprising.” 

" You were so engrossed with your distin- 


222 


dN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


guished admirer, Prince Kroupieve, that plain 
people could not get near you.” 

“ Oh, Tom! ” cried Flossie, forgetting her griev- 
ance in her new interest, “ do you know, the 
prince asked me such a funny question last night. 
He wanted to know how I would like to live 
abroad.” 

“ I don’t see anything funny in that,” com- 
mented the jealous Tom. 

“ Well, strange — singular, then. Don’t be 
pokey, like i\unt Melinda.” 

“ Nor strange either; unless, indeed, he pro- 
poses to make you the Princess Kroupieve. That 
would be strange.” 

“ And very pleasant,” replied Flossie, tossing 
her head pettishly. But no such good luck. 
You know his heart is lost to the countess.” 

“ What he calls his heart,” said Tom, still refus- 
ing to be placated. 

“ Well, he said, the prince did, that a little bird 
had told him that uncle would soon go abroad for 
a long stay.” 

“Pshaw!” contemptuously said Tom. “He 
was giving you a jolly. What does he know? 
Was that all he told you? ” 

“ All he told me,” replied Flossie, somewhat 
nettled that her communication was received with 
such contempt. “ He asked me lots of funny 
questions. Whether the countess had not a 


A MEMORABLE DAY. 


223 

great attraction for uncle. I laughed in his face 
— outright — and told him that if she had Aunt 
Melinda would bundle her out of the house quickly 
enough.” 

Tom made no reply, but contemplated the toe 
ends of his boots. He was, indeed, thinking that 
the prince, for a great dignitary, had been at very 
undignified work in attempting to pump an unso- 
phisticated member of Mr. Harlowe’s family. But 
Flossie misapprehended his silence. 

Was it because the prince was so attentive to 
me,” she asked, “ that you are in such a temper 
this morning? ” 

Tom started. “ Temper! ” he exclaimed. “ No; 
it is because that donkey, Melchor, has come 
here.” 

Mrs. Melchor had accomplished her desire, and 
secured an invitation for her son to visit the Har- 
lowe family for a week. 

' “Arty!” exclaimed Flossie, laughing heartily; 
but suddenly she changed her mood and added, 
with an assumption of great dignity, “ Mr. Mel- 
chor is here as our guest.” 

“ Flossie,” said Tom earnestly and beseechingly, 
“ I really believe you encourage that fool to hang 
about you.” 

“ Mr. Bentley,” returned that young lady 
severely, “ you are not respectful,” and watching 
Tom narrowly from the corner of her eyes, added: 


224 AJV AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

Mr. Melchor is an admirable young man — of 
good habits and very moral.” 

Tom made an impatient gesture of vexed 
disgust. 

“There!” she exclaimed, ‘Mon’t get into a 
temper again. It’s not becoming.” 

She went to a table, and, busying herself with 
the papers on it, slyly watched her lover. 

“ Flossie Dale! ” cried Tom, “ you are most per- 
verse and tantalizing.” 

“ Oh, thank you! You are improving in your 
compliments.” 

“ You never gave me an opportunity to speak 
to you last night, and yet you know I went to that 
reception only because of you ” 

Flossie interrupted him. 

“ And Miss Williams.” 

Tom gave a low, soft whistle. Here was the 
cause of Flossie’s peculiar treatment of him. 

“ Of course,” continued Flossie sarcastically, 

the daughter of the Secretary of State — an offi- 
cial young lady — can make people forget — older 
friends.” 

Tom, highly pleased to find that jealousy pos- 
sessed the young lady, twirled his mustache and 
replied in a tone of the utmost self-conceit: 

“ Oh, yes! Miss Williams! Yes! charming girl! 
Had to be nice to her. Her father bears an 


A MEMORABLE DAY. 


225 


important relation to the case we’re engaged upon. 
Policy demanded that I show her some attention 
— to the family, in fact.” 

‘'Tom Bentley, you’re a fool!” snapped out 
Flossie, as she flung herself into the recess and 
down at the piano, on which she began to pound 
discordantly. 

Tom executed a few dance steps behind her 
back in the exuberance of his satisfaction and then 
going to the piano, leaned against it, looking down 
upon her. Flossie ignored him. 

“ That’s pretty,” he finally said approvingly. 

Flossie tossed her head resentfully, pounding 
even more vigorously and discordantly. 

“ You’ll knock spots out of Paderewski, if you 
keep that up,” said Tom. 

Flossie could contain herself no longer, for, with 
a crash, she burst into laughter. 

“ You’re too absurd to be angry with,” she 
cried. 

“ And you,” said Tom, putting his arm tenderly 
about her, “ are too bewitching to be anything 
but in love with.” 

What might have followed was interrupted by 
the entrance of Mr. Harlowe and Mr. Marsters. 
The two stole quietly out of the recess and left 
the room. 

“ It is the final move — the important point,” 


226 


AJ\r AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


said Mr. Harlowe to Mr. Marsters. I did not 
want to send it until I consulted you. Have I 
made that draft clear and explicit? ’’ 

Mr. Marsters sat down and attentively read the 
paper he held in his hand. 

“ Your point is,” he said at length, “ that unless 
the crime alleged has been committed after the 
date of the promulgation of this treaty, the person 
so charged shall not be liable to extradition.” 

“ That’s it exactly,” replied Mr. Harlowe. 
“ It is claimed by those in opposition that the 
effect of the present clause is precisely the same. 
But I fear that, after the treaty is made, a con- 
trary construction will be offered. Now I propose 
to ask that this form be substituted for the clause 
now in the articles. Then there can be no doubt.” 

“ Yes,” said Mr. Marsters. “ Your language is 
clear and explicit. It is susceptible of but one 
meaning. And it completely covers the case of 
the countess.” 

“ Of course,” replied Mr. Harlowe, that is my 
purpose. But I cannot urge that as a reason. I 
present it on the basis of an approved principle.” 

“ And you fear the influence of Prince Krou- 
pieve on the President?” asked Mr. Marsters. 

“ I fear that he has already persuaded the 
President that the present phraseology is not 
retroactive.” 

“ On what, specifically, do you base your fear? ” 


A MEMORABLE DAV. 


227 

“ On nothing but my dread of the man. Oh, a 
wily fellow is that prince — keen, shrewd, able, and 
penetrative, he is a man to be feared. I tell you, 
Marsters, this has been a great game of diplomacy. 
But whatever I do must be done now. The treaty 
is popular; the Senate will confirm it promptly, 
just as it leaves the President’s hands.” 

‘‘ You have delayed this point too long, haven’t 
you? ” 

No; I wanted the assistance of the Senator 
who is Chairman of the Committee on Foreign 
Relations of the Senate. They would not trans- 
mit it until he was consulted. He did not reach 
Washington until the day of the assembling of 
Congress. I have seen him and presented my 
arguments. He wants a brief in favor of the 
points I raised.” 

“ But what assurance have you that the treaty 
may not be transmitted this very day? ” 

“ The new point I have played to-day.” 

“ But that is very weak? ” 

“ It will serve the purpose.” 

^'Hum! How does the countess take this 
contest? ” 

“ Excellently! ” said Mr. Harlowe with increased 
animation. “ Oh, excellently! Lovely woman, 
Marsters! Perfectly lovely ! ” 

Mr. Marsters turned a shrewd, scrutinizing 
glance upon his partner, and smiled grimly. 


228 


AN AMERICAN CA HALIER. 


“ Does Melinda share your opinion? ” he asked. 

Ahem ! Well — ah — hesitated Harlowe, 
slightly embarrassed — “ I fear Melinda fails to 
appreciate the countess. Very singular! Now, 
Marsters, don't you think it is very singular that 
a woman like Melinda should be so opposed to a 
woman like the countess? " 

“Yes,” very grimly replied Marsters, “it is 
singular.” 

At this moment Joe entered the room, bearing 
a letter. 

“ Letter for you, Misser Harlowe,” he said. 

“ Haven’t you gone to the State Department 
yet?” he asked as he took the letter, tearing off 
the envelope. 

“ Oh, dey aint no hurry,” replied Joe indiffer- 
ently, 

Mr. Harlowe looked down at the boy, whose 
impudence was a perennial source of amusement 
to him, and said: 

“ Oh, there isn’t? Well, will you pardon me 
if I disagree with you? ” 

“ Misser Bentley aint got de paper ready yit,” 
said Joe as he went toward the door, muttering: 
“ Dey tink I aint got nuttin’ t’ do but t’ hustle.” 

By this time Mr. Harlowe was engrossed in his 
letter: 

“Ah!” he exclaimed, “a note from the Secre- 
tary of State.” 


A MEMORABLE DAY. 


229 


The President,’ ” he read, “ ' has sent for all 
the papers in the treaty matter, and has granted 
an interview to Prince Kroupieve for this after- 
noon ’ ” 

This is ominous, Marsters,” he commented. 

Resuming, he read: 

' Should you have additional points to file, do 
so at once, as, in all probability, this is your last 
chance. Yours, etc., Williams.’ ” 

“ This is a friendly act of Williams,” he said, evi- 
dently much disturbed. 

‘‘ Have you seen much of him since you have 
been here? ” asked Marsters. 

'' In the beginning, yes. But since my business 
here became known, I have thought it wise to 
avoid comment by seeing little of him.” 

'' Has anything been said,” asked Marsters hesi- 
tatingly, “ about a foreign appointment for you? ” 

No,” said Harlowe shortly and turning away 
as if he desired no further talk concerning it. 

Marsters watched him silently a moment before 
speaking. 

'' Well, Harlowe,” he said at length, you 
should put that last point of yours in without 
delay. But those last two briefs you filed with the 
Secretary should not, in my opinion, go to the 
President.” 

“ Hey? ” Harlowe turned shortly to Marsters. 

Why? ” 


230 AJV AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

“ Well, intended for delay only, and on a point 
easily combated — they will tend to weaken your 
whole case before the President — especially if 
Kroupieve is to be there. Better withdraw those 
last two briefs.'' 

“You’re right!” exclaimed Harlowe. “I 
will withdraw them at once.” 

Dale was heard whistling and humming in the 
adjoining apartment. 

“ There’s Dale! ” said Mr. Harlowe. “ Just the 
very one to send to the State Department. 
Knows Williams well. Darn that fellow, Mars- 
ters! I never saw his like. He and the President 
are as thick as two thieves. He amuses the Presi- 
dent and asks no favors. The only sure basis of 
friendship with the great! ” 

“ Good-morning, the firm of Harlowe & Mar- 
sters,” cried Dale, entering. 

“ Are you going out this morning. Dale? ” 
asked Harlowe. 

“To call on my friend, the President,” answered 
Dale, bowing in acquiescence. “ I see by the 
papers that the Chief Justice has resigned. The 
President will need my advice, and I shall recom- 
mend — myself.” 

Plarlowe and Marsters laughed and exclaimed 
together: “You?” 

“Why not?” asked Dale with well-simulated 
surprise. “ I have yet to discover that a knowl- 


A MEMORABLE DAY, 


231 


edge of law is requisite for a judicial place. The 
chief qualifications are, a distinguished demeanor, 
the power to look wise, and a superb confidence in 
your own opinions.” 

“ Which you certainly do have,” said Harlowe. 

“ All of which I possess to an eminent degree,” 
continued Dale. Sorry, Harlowe, I cannot 
recommend you, but duty demands that I 
advance my own fortunes.” 

Well, before you do so,” inquired Harlowe, 
“ will you go to the Secretary of State for 
me?” 

“ In the meantime,” replied Dale with great 
complaisance, “ before I assume the ermine, I will 
fasten the wings of Mercury on my heels and do 
your bidding.” 

He crossed the room to the cabinet. 

Marsters hurried to Harlowe. 

Can you trust him? ” he asked. You know 
he was with Kroupieve.” 

“ He is as true as steel to me,” replied Harlowe. 
'' Now Marsters, write that brief for me — the brief 
for the Chairman of Foreign Relations. I will 
take it to him this morning, before he goes to the 
Senate.” 

Yes, I will write it,” said Marsters, going to 
the chair where he had laid his hat and coat; “ but 
first I must go to the President, on the business 
that brought me to Washington,” 


232 AJV AMERICAN CA VALIER. 

'' Hurry, then,’' urged Harlowe, ‘‘ for I will need 
it soon, though this letter of Williams shows we 
need fear nothing to-day.” 

Mr. Marsters left the room and Mr. Harlowe 
addressed Dale. 

“ Dale,” he said, '' I want you to get from the 
Secretary of State certain briefs and points I have 
filed against the proposed treaty with Russia. I 
want to withdraw them all.” 

Unobserved by either Melinda entered, stop- 
ping at the door as Dale, surprised, turned to his 
brother-in-law. 

''A sudden resolution, isn’t it? ” he asked, mis- 
apprehending the remark. 

Rather,” replied Harlowe indifferently. But 
done after consultation with Marsters. He ap- 
proves of it. I will write a letter to the Secretary 
for you to take. When you are ready to go, come . 
to Bentley’s room.” 

Mr. Harlowe left the apartment without observ- 
ing his sister. 

“ You hear that, James? ” asked Melinda, com- 
ing forward. 

Dale turned with a start, supposing himself 
to be alone. 

‘‘ Particularly what, Melinda? ” he asked. 

Chester has withdrawn his opposition to the 
treaty.” 

Dale gave a start of surprise. 


A MEMORABLE DAY. 


233 


‘‘Certainly!” he cried. “Certainly! that is 
what he means to do.” 

“ Oh, what a relief! ” exclaimed Melinda. “ My 
hope now is that Chester, having withdrawn his 
opposition to that treaty, it will be closed and the 
countess will go her way. Can’t you do some- 
thing to hasten it? ” 

“Which?” asked Dale. “The going of the 
countess, or the making of the treaty.” 

“Both!” replied Melinda. “But I mean the 
treaty.” 

“That’s an idea!” muttered Dale to himself. 
“ If I could, I would please Melinda and Kroupieve 
without opposing Harlowe. I could try.” 

Flossie entered the room, very indignant, fol- 
lowed by Arthur Melchor. 

“ I will not have you talk so,” she was say- 
ing to Arthur. “ It’s disrespectful and — and — 
mean.” 

“Flossie!” commanded Melinda severely. 

“ I don’t care. I won’t have it ! ” persisted 
Flossie. “ He’s saying disrespectful things of dear 
old dad.” 

“ Mother says so,” contended Arthur in his 
vacuous way. “ So they can’t be disrespectful.” 

“Your mother!” exclaimed Flossie most con- 
temptuously. 

“ Mother says,” said Arthur, directly to Dale, 
“ that since Flossie is to be my wife she must be 


^34 AN AMERICAN CaVALIER. 

surrounded by a respectable atmosphere, and I 
must not let her associate with you/’ 

“ With me? ” cried Dale, startled out of his 

self-command. Her father? Why ” 

He started forward as if about to inflict chas- 
tisement on the tactless youth, but recovered his 
self-command instantly. With great contempt he 
said to Melinda: 

“ Keep that cub out of my sight, and take the 
notion out of his head that Flossie will ever be his 
wife.” 

He went out of the room hurriedly, leaving 
Melinda to try to repair the damage the witless 
youth had inflicted upon her most cherished 
scheme. 


CHAPTER IX. 

MR. HARLOWE’s sacrifice. 

An hour after he had dispatched Dale to the 
Secretary of State Mr. Harlowe was detailing to 
the Countess Naletoft', in the general parlor, the 
final moves in his plan, and preparing that lady’s 
mind for a result — whether that result was to be 
as they desired or the contrary. 

While the two were thus engaged Mr. Marsters, 
closely followed by Tom Bentley, burst into the 
room, his face aglow with importance and satis- 
faction. So excited, and indeed enthusiastic did 
he appear, something never known of Marsters 
before, that Mr. Harlowe’s first wild thought was 
that his partner had been drinking. 

So he hastily rose, crossing the room, leaving the 
countess on the other side astounded at the 
interruption. 

“Mr. Ambassador, I salute you!” cried Mar- 
sters, grasping Mr. Harlowe by the hand. 

“ My congratulations, Mr. Harlowe,” said 
Bentley, quite as much pleased, though not so 
demonstrative. 

Mr. Harlowe stared from one to the other and 
finally said: 


»35 


236 AxV AMERICAN CA VALIER. 

“ You are very gracious, but permit me to 
remark that it is a bad practice to begin drinking 
before dinner/^ 

“ The President empowers me to ask,” said Mr. 
Marsters, big with the importance of the an- 
nouncement, “ if you will accept the Berlin 
mission.” 

Harlowe staggered back, overcome by the 
abrupt announcement. 

The countess arose in excitement, intently re- 
garding the group. 

“ There are subjects, Marsters,” said Harlowe 
after a slight pause, agitated and very serious, 
that are unseemly to jest upon. This is one.” 

“ Believe me, Harlowe,” cried Marsters ear- 
nestly, “ it is true. When I had finished the busi- 
ness I went to him about, the President told me 
that your appointment as Minister to Germany 
had been determined upon, and he empowered me 
to announce it to you.” 

He again warmly extended his hand to Har- 
lowe who, however, seemed unable to realize the 
meaning of the communication. The countess, 
clasping her hands in delight, moved nearer to 
Harlowe. 

“To me? ” cried Harlowe, finally grasping the 
sense of the honor, and, joyfully, “ the Berlin 
mission! ” 

“You! ” repeated Marsters. “ There is no mis- 


MR. HARLOWE'S SACRIFICE. 237 

take. And if you accept, as you will, you are to 
make it known at once.'' 

Gravely he added: 

“ This is a great honor, Harlowe, a very great 
honor to the firm of Harlowe & Marsters. I am 
very happy over it. 

“ It is a great honor," replied Harlowe, deeply 
moved — '' far greater than I ever hoped to attain. 
The fulfillment of an ambition long cherished." 

“Come!" cried Marsters, trying to satisfy his 
excitement by action. “ Come! Acknowledge 
the offer at once, and announce your attendance 
upon the President, to accept and thank him for 
the distinction." 

Mr. Harlowe, who was displaying almost 
childish delight in the honor which had fallen upon 
him so unexpectedly, moved toward the table to 
comply with the suggestion of his delighted 
partner. 

As he did so the Countess Naletoff came to him 
with extended arms and radiant face. On see- 
ing her Mr. Harlowe stopped abruptly. Pain and 
consternation were on his face. They were too 
marked not to seize the attention of the lady, and 
she checked her approach, embarrassed. But Mr. 
Harlowe quickly recovered himself, and with a 
beaming smile advanced to meet her, and she, see- 
ing the strange expression on his face, which had 
checked her, cleared away, came forward to him. 


2 jS JjV AMERICAN CA VALIER. 

“ I am very happy,” she said, giving him her 
hand, “ that so great a distinction is yours. On 
no one worthier could it have been conferred. 
The great respect I have for you here,” and she 
laid her disengaged hand upon her heart, it 
makes me very proud to know is possessed by your 
President. Accept, my dear, dear friend, my lov- 
ing felicitations.” 

She warmly and tenderly pressed Mr. Harlowe’s 
hand, and not a little to his disturbance. But he 
replied to her, and with greater dignity than he 
was used to assume: 

“ I fear, countess, notwithstanding your kind 
thought, that I am not worthy so high an honor. 
And though it is with great pride that I receive its 
proffer, yet it is nothing to that which I feel in the 
knowledge that honor to me gives you joy. But 
I shall — pardon me!” 

He withdrew his hand from hers, bowed with 
great courtliness to her, and crossed to the side 
of the room where Bentley was standing, observ- 
ing the scene with great interest. 

“ Mr. Bentley,” said Mr. Harlowe, will you 
take my dictation? ” 

Certainly! ” said Tom, with great pleasure.” 

He seated himself at the table and arranged 
writing materials before him, ready to set down 
Mr. Plarlowe’s words. 

“ I presume,” said Mr. Harlowe, addressing 


MR. llAkLOWE^R SACRIFICE. ^39 

Marsters, “ that I must send my letter to the 
President? ” 

“ To the President,” said Mr. Marsters with 
joyful anticipation. 

Mr. Harlowe turned to Bentley and began: 

“ To the President: 

Mr. Marsters has just informed me of the great 
honor you contemplate bestowing upon me — an 
honor so far in excess of my deserts. To hold so 
high an office and to represent so distinguished 
an administration as yours at the Court of the 
German Empire appeals strongly to the highest 
ambition. 

“Accept, Your Excellency, my most profound 
gratitude. 

“ Great as the honor is, I am so circumstanced 
that I must decline it.” 

The conclusion was so unexpected — so con- 
trary to what all in the room had supposed, that 
for a moment no one spoke; even Bentley did not 
write the last words of dictation. 

“ Oh, no! ” exclaimed the countess, the first to 
speak. 

“ What do you mean? ” finally blurted out 
Marsters. 

While Bentley, wheeling about in his chair, 
asked, as if he had not heard aright : 


240 


AN- AMERICAN CA FALTER. 


“ Decline? ’’ 

To all of this Harlowe silently and composedly 
bowed. 

“Oh, you must not do that!'^ cried out the 
countess in earnest and anxious protest. 

“ Why, man! said Marsters, coming forward to 
Harlowe in angry protest. “ Your great ambi- 
tion! Decline; why you are mad!^^ 

Harlowe merely said to Bentley: 

“ Complete the letter, please.'' 

Marsters and the countess looked to each other 
for an explanation of this singular action, as 
Tom sorrowfully appended the disappointing 
words. 

Then Mr. Harlowe went to the table, took from 
it a pen, and dipping it in the ink, said: 

“ Give me the letter, Mr. Bentley." 

Tom laid the letter before Mr. Harlowe, who 
leaned over it and signed it. He threw the pen 
back on the table, and turned with a smile which 
had in it even satisfaction. 

The countess, narrowly watching him, saw the 
smile, and, deeply agitated, fell back to the table 
at which she had been sitting, evidently making a 
great struggle with herself. 

To Bentley Mr. Harlowe said: 

“ Will you see that that letter is sent to the 
President immediately? " 

“ But, Harlowe " said Marsters. 


MR. HARLOIVE'S SACRIFICE. 


241 


“Immediately!” said Mr. Harlowe firmly and 
impressively. 

“ I will take it myself,” said Tom sadly. 

But as he arose Marsters put his hand upon 
him, detaining him, while he turned to Harlowe. 

“ Oh, Harlowe, why do you do this? ” 

In a low tone, so as not to be heard by the 
countess, he received his answer. 

“ I cannot be a representative of the Depart- 
ment and an attorney before it at one and the 
same time. Duty — honor — if not something 
stronger, bind me to the countess.” 

In a louder voice he said: 

“ Go draw that brief for the Senator, Marsters. 
Time is going.” 

“ But, Harlowe ” — began Marsters again, un- 
willing to permit the sacrifice as he regarded it. 

“ I am right,” said his partner. Then dropping 
his voice again, he added, “ Can you tell me that 
it is not an intrigue of Kroupieve’s to get me out 
of this case and to abandon the countess? ” 

The intuition of Mr. Harlowe had reached a fact. 
The intrigues of Prince Kroupieve had brought 
about what Williams, the Secretary of State, had 
been vainly endeavoring to do for a year — ^brought 
it about, too, in a manner to leave Williams 
under the impression that it was solely his own 
doings. 

Mr. Marsters abandoned further protest, but 


242 AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 

with plain indications of his deep disappointment. 
Bentley, willing to delay the instructions of Mr. 
Harlowe as long as there was any hope of their 
countermanding, now saw all hope was gone, and 
sadly left the room with the letter. 

Marsters looked to the countess, who was 
standing at the other side of the room, her face 
partly turned from them. 

“ Such a sacrifice!” he said, '‘and for a woman! ” 

Dejectedly he left the apartment. As the door 
closed the countess turned and saw that she was 
alone with Mr. Harlowe. With an impulsive 
gesture, she swept across the room. 

“ My dear friend,” she said, laying her hands 
upon his, her voice choked with emotion. “ Why 
did you decline the Berlin mission? ” 

Harlowe was confused by the strength of her 
emotion. 

“ I — did ” By an effort he regained control 

of himself. “ Circumstances which I would not 
change, could I control them, forced me.” 

“ Was it because of me? ” demanded the lady 
most warmly and earnestly — “ of my troubles? ” 

“ Ah, madame! ” he replied gallantly and rather 
airily, “ did no other reason exist, that would be 
sufficient.” 

This reply only confirmed her fears and deepened 
her agitation; seeing which, Mr. Harlowe went on: 

“Countess! man is perverse. What we most 


Jl/A\ J/.IR LOWE'S SACRIFICE. 243 

ardently desire, loses its value when attained. A 
residence abroad has lost its attraction for me.” 

She looked at him ardently, as if, apparently, 
she would compel the truth to show in his eyes. 

Ha! ” she cried impulsively, “you are not 
frank! 

She laid a hand caressingly on his arm and 
again looked him in the eyes, deep emotion shin- 
ing in her own. Under her ardent gaze he quailed 
perceptibly. 

“Oh, noble, generous man!” she exclaimed 
after a long pause. “ You do me a wrong. It is 
not right to compel me to such gratitude. Recall 
that letter.” 

“ Do you a wrong ? ” said he, pain in his accent. 
“ I do you a wrong — I? 

“Oh!” fairly sobbed the countess, “what are 
the honeyed accents whispered in the ear com- 
pared to such devotion! ” 

She stepped back, saying almost fiercely: 

“ It is a wrong — a wrong to me.” 

“ Why, countess,” now alarmed by the excess 
of her emotion. “ It is — surely you exaggerate a 
simple thing.” 

“ Simple thing? ” cried the countess. “ Is it a 
simple thing to sacrifice the ambition of a life? ” 

“Oh, no, no!” protested Harlowe. “Do not 
think so. You wrong me in such a view.” 

The countess made a gesture repelling that idea, 


244 AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

which had in it such abandonment that he feared 
she would be overcome by the violence of her 
emotion. 

“ Cotnpose yourself, dear madame! he pleaded. 
“ Surely you are making more of a simple act than 
it deserves.’' 

He led her toward the door of the inner 
apartment. 

I am sure,” he said, '' when you come to 
regard this coolly, you will see there was no other 
course to pursue.” 

She stopped at the door and turned upon him a 
look of intense gratitude. 

''Your goodness does humble me,” she said. 
" I will resist no longer, my whole trust is in you 
— my life, my happiness, all is in your hands.” 

Again she took his hand, pressing it warmly. 

" I give you my heart’s gratitude.” 

Harlowe bowed over her hand, lifted it to his 
lips, and kissed it. 

She passed into the other room; he stood silent 
for some time, looking after her. Then he came 
back into the room, and leaning on the back of an 
easy-chair, lost himself in profound thought. At 
length he spoke: 

" Her heart’s gratitude, her life, her happiness! ” 

He sighed. 

"Ah! If I could but believe — bah! what a fool 


MR. ir A R LOWE'S SACRIFICE 245 

I am! The mere expression of a sweet, emotional 
woman’s gratitude.” 

He straightened himself up and said: 

It is well I am inoculated with my preventa- 
tive of love.” 

And by this time the letter — the rare and un- 
usual letter — declining a distinguished ambassa- 
dorial appointment was exciting Presidential 
astonishment and informing Prince Kroupieve 
that Mr. Harlowe’s chivalry had stood the test, 
and that its quality was high and rare. 


CHAPTER X. 


AN AWFUL BLUNDER. 

The meditations of Mr. Harlowe were rudely 
broken in upon by the noisy entrance of Joe, who, 
for the second time, was bearing a letter. 

“ Another letter from the Secretary of State,’' 
he said loudly; so loudly, indeed, that his v/ords 
reached the ears of the countess in an adjoining 
apartment. 

''Pla!” ejaculated Mr. Harlowe, arousing him- 
self to take the letter. “ About the appointment, 
I presume.” 

As he tore off the envelope, Joe, in the tone of 
one who had a grievance which must be righted, 
asked: 

Say, Misser Harlowe, what am I? ” 

“ A bright, but very impudent lad,” promptly 
answered Harlowe, opening the letter. 

“I’m your messenger, aint I?” asked the lad 
aggressively and argumentatively, not at all de- 
terred by his employer’s characterization of 
himself. 

“ Well, yes,” reluctantly admitted the lawyer, 

246 


JJV awpul blvn£>er. 


247 


and then hastened to add qualifyingly, when you 
are not engaged in your favorite occupation of 
meddling in other people’s business.” 

Rejecting the qualifying addition and holding 
fast to the affirmative admission, Joe asked the 
question he had been leading up to: 

“ Den wot’s Misser Dale runnin’ fur papers 
fur? ” 

Mr. Harlowe looked down upon the bold, com- 
plaining eyes of the lad, intensely amused; the 
satirical smile playing on his lips relieved by the 
kindly light in his own eyes. 

“ Oh, the pride of position! ” he exclaimed. 
“ It is of all ranks and degrees. This lad is as 
jealous of his prerogatives as a Senator of his 
privileges.” 

Laying his hand kindly upon the head of the 
boy, he said: 

Joe, Mr. Dale is deposed from his usurpations. 
Now go.” 

He addressed himself to his letter, as Joe went 
away muttering triumphantly to himself: 

“ Dey aint no wheels in dis head, if it does 
belong to a boy.” 

Mr. Harlowe read the first sentence of the let- 
ter with a start and repeated it aloud. 

'' ‘ Your conversion in the treaty matter is sud- 
den. That of Saul was nothing to it. But I attrib- 
ute the reason thereof to a certain appointment of 


248 


A AT AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


which long before this you have had knowledge, 
and upon which I sincerely congratulate you/ '' 

The lawyer let his hand holding the letter drop, 
as he asked in astonishment: 

“ What can Williams mean? Sudden conver- 
sion? From what? To what? He is dealing in 
riddles. Congratulations upon my appointment! 
Ha! ha! And I have put it away — the absorbing 
ambition of my life. Oh, what a helpless thing 
man is — the sport of circumstance! He builds, he 
hopes, he strives, and chance buffets him to a 
higher or lower plain. Ah, well ! 

He sighed and lifted his letter to conclude its 
reading. 

‘‘ ' I therefore permitted our mutual friend 
Dale,' " he went on reading, “ ‘ to withdraw all 
your papers, and I gave him authority to use my 
name with the President.' " 

‘'Authority to use his name!" exclaimed the 
puzzled reader. “ Now what is Dale up to? It 
can't be — it can't be possible. Oh, this is too 
good! " 

He laughed heartily and long. 

“ Of all the tomfooleries Dale has been guilty of, 
this exceeds them; and he has hoaxed so great a 
man as Williams into believing that he is a candi- 
date for the Chief Justiceship. I declare that man 
Dale will go to Turkey some day and pluck the 
beard of the Prophet." 


A AT AWFUL BLUNDER. 249 

Since he left me I have had misgivings/ ” 

“ Well, I should think you would, Williams, my 
friend,” he commented. 

Hence this letter,’ ” he read again: ' I con- 

fer with the President this afternoon on the treaty, 
and I make no doubt, since you have changed 
your position, that it will shortly go to the 
Senate.’ ” 

He dropped his hands in a panic. Then he 
hastily read the letter again. 

‘ Withdraw all the papers! Changed my posi- 
tion! ’ For Heaven’s sake, what does he mean? ” 
The countess entered the room. 

I heard that you have received a letter from 
the Secretary of State,” she said. I hope it is 
that they refuse to accept your declination.” 

“ No, countess,” replied Mr. Harlowe; it is a 
letter from the Secretary, but not about the ap- 
pointment. It, however, fills me with apprehen- 
sion — a dread of something, but of what I do not 
know.” 

That letter you have received?” she asked, 
partaking of his alarm. Evidently they were both 
nervous after the strain of the morning. 

Mr. Marsters entered the room. 

Here, Marsters! ” exclaimed Mr. Harlowe, 
** read this letter I have just received from Wil- 
liams. Tell me what it means. I cannot under- 
stand it.” 


250 Ay AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

Mr. Marsters took the letter in his deliberate, 
stolid manner, and read it slowly and carefully. 

What is this I hear? ” said Melinda, entering 
from the apartment from which the countess had 
come. 

She was angry; she showed it in her voice and 
manner. But no one removed their attention from 
Marsters, still slowly reading the letter. 

You have received a high honor, and declined 
it? asked Melinda. 

Never mind that now,’^ said Mr. Harlowe im- 
patiently and with an imperative gesture. 

Melinda saw that something unusual had oc- 
curred, and kept her peace. 

The letter is incomprehensible,’’ said Mr. 
Marsters, who, having completed the reading, set 
about reading it a second time. 

There was noise and bustle in the adjoining 
room; a door was opened noisily and closed with 
a bang; a shout was heard, and Dale’s voice, as 
he talked excitedly, in the tones of which mingled 
delightedly the laughter of the lighter voice of 
Flossie. 

Where are they all? ” Dale was heard to ask. 

And Flossie answered: 

“ In the next room.” 

An instant later Dale, closely followed by Flos- 
sie, skipped into the room, beaming and effer- 
vescent. 


AN AWFUL BLUNDER. 


251 


“ See, the conquering hero comes!” he cried. 
“ ‘ Sound the loud timbrel o’er Egypt’s dark sea;’ 
old man Dale ' has triumphed; his people are 
free.’ ” 

‘‘ What tomfoolery is this?” asked Mr. Har- 
lowe angrily. 

“ Tomfoolery? ” cried Dale in assumed indigna- 
tion. “ No tomfoolery, my respected brother-in- 
law, but rather a great diplomatic achievement.” 

A diplo ” gasped Mr. Harlowe, unable to 

speak further, for a mighty fear had possessed him. 

In one short hour,” continued Dale, pluming 
himself greatly, I, James Dale, Esq., have 
achieved what has perplexed statesmen of high de- 
gree for weeks and months.” 

Everybody drew near to him, intent. 

“ You sent me to the Secretary of State to with- 
draw your papers? ” he said to Harlowe. 

“ Yes, yes; and what? ” demanded Mr. Harlowe 
breathlessly. 

“ Presenting my letter, the Secretary gave me 
the papers, and here they are.” 

He displayed them, but Mr. Harlowe did not 
look at them, so intent was he upon what Dale was 
saying. 

'' Then,” continued Dale, with provoking de- 
liberation, '' I told him I was about to go to the 
President.” 

“ Ah!” 


252 AJV AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

The ejaculation was one of great relief from 
Mr. Harlowe. 

“ Yes, I know. The Chief Justiceship. Ha! 
ha! he laughed, though grimly. It was a great 
joke on Williams.” 

‘ The Chief Justiceship?' Pshaw! No; I 
wouldn't play such a joke on the Secretary of 
State. No! no! I asked, since you had with- 
drawn all opposition to the treaty '' 

*'What? what? what?'' cried Mr. Harlowe, 
almost frantic. 

Everybody started. Melinda turned pale and 
grasped at a chair for support, while the countess 
seemed almost turned into stone, so rigid did she 
appear, as, with bated breath, she awaited Dale's 
reply. It came weakly and tremblingly: 

I told the President that you had.” 

Never! ” shouted Mr. Harlowe, beside himself. 

The papers he had held in his hand fluttered to 
the floor as Dale with faint voice added: 

And he said that, that being so, he would send 
the treaty just as it was ” 

What, man? what?” cried Mr. Harlowe in 
agony. 

Tom Bentley burst into the room, his face white 
with emotion, shouting: 

Mr. Harlowe, the treaty has beefl sent to the 
Senate.” 

Tom's announcement was like an explosion. 


AjV awful blunder. 


253 


Mr. Harlowe staggered back, wild with rage and 
disappointment. His carefully builded structure, 
over which he had painfully labored for four 
months, had crumbled into dust at the touch of 
the blunderer. He essayed to speak, but he 
choked; it almost seemed as if he was stricken 
with apoplexy. 

Mr. Marsters, who had realized only too well 
that everything was lost, fell into a chair and 
glared at poor Dale, who stood in the center of the 
room a picture of fright, confusion^ and bewil- 
derment. 

Melinda, realizing how much she had contrib- 
uted to the disaster, was paralyzed apparently, 
and could neither move nor speak. 

And the countess — she understood what it 
meant to her; but perceiving the awful disappoint- 
ment of Mr. Harlowe, and its effect upon him — 
realizing the vanity of the great sacrifice he had 
only an hour before made for her, forgot her own 
grief in her pity for the man. She went toward 
Mr. Harlowe, as if to comfort and console him. 

As she moved forward Mr. Harlowe found his 
voice. 

“ Dale! ” he cried. 

But he stopped, as if words could not express 
his anger. He dropped into a chair, looking at 
the wretched man, and merely said: 

Dale, you are more kinds of a d- 
I ever knew.” 


fool than 


BETWEEN BOOKS. 


It is now a matter of history that the Senate 
promptly confirmed the treaty between the United 
States and Russia, when it was transmitted by the 
President, and that thereafter it was promptly 
promulgated as the law of the land. 

Upon its publication it was found, as had been 
alleged by those who had opposed the treaty, that it 
contained a clause providing that an attempt upon 
the life of the head of either Government should be 
regarded as a criminal and not a political offense, 
and therefore as extraditable. This was the point 
which had been most bitterly opposed, under the 
urgency that a very innocent offense or act, which 
in this country would not be regarded as an 
offense, could, under Russian law, be tortured into 
an attempt on the life of the Czar. 

It had also been urged that the liberty of such 
of those as had cast off Russian allegiance, and 
sought residence and citizenship in the States, 
would not be safe when the treaty was enacted. 

The publication showed that this clause was a 
part of the treaty: 


254 


BETWEEN BOOKS. 


255 


Nor shall the surrender of any person be de- 
manded for an offense committed prior to the date 
at which this convention shall take place.” 

This language, it was urged, made the instru- 
ment non-retroactive, and assured such as had 
been residents and citizens of the States entire 
safety. 

For a time criticism was strong and urgent, and 
it was plainly asserted that the United States had 
made the Russian criminal code, with all its mon- 
strosities, a part of its law: And it was urged that 
the non-retroactive clause was vague and uncer- 
tain, and therefore susceptible of varying con- 
structions. 

But these criticisms availed little. The final 
conservative judgment was, that there was little to 
fear from the evils apprehended by the malcon- 
tents, and, as Mr. Harlowe had urged when the 
matter was first brought to his notice, that the 
American tribunals, having the power of construc- 
tion, could be relied upon to construe the treaty 
articles in the light of American freedom and 
justice. 

So, in time the excitement subsided, and if, in 
the consummation there was regret anywhere, it 
was confined to the circles of those who had been 
engaged in intrigues, or who wanted to engage in 
further intrigues, against the Czar, and now saw 
that the United States was no longer a safe refuge. 


256 


AN- AM ERICA ]N CAVALIER, 


Blit there were others, and principally lawyers, 
who looked forward with interest and curiosity to 
the first demand for the extradition of a Russian 
connected with an offense ante-dating the treaty, 
for they were by no means satisfied with the non- 
retroactive clause. 


BOOK III. 
THE SOLUTION, 


CHAPTER I. 

GRAY DAYS. 

Mr. Harlowe and Mr. Marsters sat in moody 
silence over the grate fire in the bedroom of the 
former at the Arlington. The subject on which 
they had been consulting had evidently been ex- 
hausted, and Mr. Marsters was awaiting the 
arrival of the hour when he must go to the station 
to take his return train to New York. It was 
Christmas Eve, in 1893; and the faces of both 
showed that it was not a happy one to them; cer- 
tainly not to Mr. Harlowe. 

At length Mr. Marsters, arousing himself and 
looking at his watch, rose from his seat. 

“ Harlowe,” he said, if you have anything 
more to say to me, say it, for it is nearly time for 
me to go.” 

He crossed the room, and gathered together his 
hat, gloves, topcc'^t, and satchel. Mr. Harlowe 


257 


25 ^ JiV AMERICAN- CAVALIER. 

rose from his chair, and, placing his back to the 
fire, warmed the palms of his hands behind him. 

“ I think I have said everything,” he replied 
gloomily. “ You go back to Mexico immediately 
after Christmas? ” 

“ Yes,” said Mr. Marsters, examining the pock- 
ets of his coat to see that his papers were safe. 
“ Yes, and I hope my stay will not be longer than 
a week, though there are contingencies, somewhat 
remote, to be sure, that may prolong it.” 

“ I wish you were not going at all,” said Mr. 
Harlowe regretfully. “ Ever since that awful blun- 
der I have lost confidence in myself, and I lean 
upon you more than ever.” 

“ Nonsense! ” Mr. Marsters came back to the 
fire, and stood on the rug opposite to his partner. 
“ I don't want you to talk like that, Harlowe. It 
is cowardice! ” 

“ A physician loses all confidence in his skill 
when it comes to applying it to his own.” 

Mr. Marsters looked dubiously at Mr. Harlowe. 
He did not understand his partner. 

“ The blunder was none of yours,” he said. “ It 
was the stupidity of that rattle-pate Dale! His 
punishment ought to be severe.” 

“ No,” replied Mr. Harlowe; “ it was less his 
blunder than Melinda's.” 

“ Melinda! ” ejaculated Mr. Marsters, as- 
tounded. 


GliA V DA VS. 


259 


“Yes; she misled Dale. She confessed it; took 
all the blame on herself. You see, it was her 
jealousy.’’ 

“ Jealousy of the countess? ” inquired Mr. 
Marsters. 

“Yes; bad trait that. Awfully jealous of the 
countess.- I ought to inoculate her with cocaine; 
positive cure. But she won’t have it; dead to 
science.” 

“ Drop that folly,” said Mr. Marsters, “ and tell 
me what you mean.” 

“ There’s little to tell. Melinda overheard a 
portion of my remarks on the withdrawal of those 
briefs you advised, and concluded that I had with- 
drawn from the whole treaty business. She 
thought the making of the treaty would send the 
countess away, so she appealed to Dale to hasten 
it if he could. Unfortunately he could. With fatal 
facility he adopted the one course to that end, 
with the result you know.” 

“ And now? ” 

“ Melinda is in sackcloth and ashes; the de- 
fender of and apologist for Dale; metaphorically 
at the feet of the countess in remorse.” 

And you? ” 

“ Well, what could I do? Nothing but swear, 
which I did promptly and with vigor, and keep out 
of sight, for everybody who knew of it laughed 
over it as the best joke of the season.” 


26 o 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


'‘Joke!” exclaimed Mr. Marsters indignantly. 

“ Oh! We couldn’t see the joke, but the Presi- 
dent could; he was very appreciative,” 

" In what way? ” asked Mr. Marsters. 

“ He laughed over it for two weeks; told it to 
everybody; it was his great story for his state 
dinners. Then, a civil magistracy becoming unex- 
pectedly vacant in this district, he declared that 
Dale should be a judge anyhow, and procured the 
appointment for him.” 

“What? For Dale?” exclaimed Marsters, 
aghast at this exhibition of official responsibility. 

“ Yes; he was sworn in this morning.” 

Mr. Marsters was not affected humorously; with 
a grave face he moved to the mantelpiece, resting 
his elbow upon it, and looking into the fire. Har- 
lowe shifted his position and assumed a similar at- 
titude at the other end of the mantel. 

“ No,” continued Mr. Harlowe in the same 
hopeless tone, “ I cannot think of anything more 
to say. The treaty has been promulgated; all the 
dangers we apprehended in the beginning are pres- 
ent quite as much as if we had done nothing. It is 
true that many high legal authorities believe that 
the retroactive clause is sufficient; I don’t. It is 
like a sieve — full of holes.” 

“ Everything depends how it may be construed 
by the courts, and ” 

“ That is like the white man — very ' onsartin.’ ” 


G/^A V DA VS. 


261 


Mr. Marsters did not reply; both were silent for 
a time. 

I am hanging on, awaiting some developments 
from Kroupieve,” said Mr. Harlowe, breaking the 
silence. “ Nothing as yet is indicated whether, 
having taken such strong ground that the treaty 
in its terms could not be considered as retroactive, 
he dare not proceed to action, or whether he is 
building up secretly a new intrigue — time must 
tell.’^ 

“ He is in Washington yet? 

Oh, yes! Very much in evidence in a social 
way.” 

As intimate with the President as ever? ” 

Quite as much; consulted frequently on for- 
eign matters — his intimate knowledge of foreign 
complications, you know, is the excuse.” 

^^Hum!” 

''My intuitions were right about the Berlin mis- 
sion,” Harlowe went on in the most ordinary way, 
neither regretful nor triumphant. " It was his in- 
trigue; he wanted to get me out of the case and 
country. Williams knows it now, though he didn^t 
think so at first.” 

" Hum! ” Mr. Marsters frowned. 

" There will be a break between Williams and 
the President if Kroupieve’s further interference 
in foreign affairs is permitted. It is a sore thing 
for Williams to think that what the head of the 


262 


AJV AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


Foreign Department had failed to do for a year 
was accomplished within a week, by a man having 
no official relations, and a foreigner at that. A 
break in the Cabinet would be a queer result from 
this case, wouldn’t it? My cue has been to allay 
the irritation of the Secretary and to persuade 
him not to resign, at least until after the game is 
played out.” 

‘'Game played out?” repeated Mr. Marsters. 
" Then you think it is not played out yet? ” 

" If I do, the countess does not. She is certain 
that a demonstration from the prince will be made 
before long.” 

" In what form does she expect it? ” 

" A demand for her extradition.” 

Mr. Marsters studied the fire, and Mr. Harlowe 
lost himself in thought. 

After a time Mr. Marsters looked up, steadily 
gazing at his partner, of which Mr. Harlowe was 
wholly oblivious, so engrossed was he with his own 
thoughts. 

" Harlowe,” at length Mr. Marsters asked, " has 
the countess ever thought of flight or conceal- 
ment? ” 

The question had the effect of a shock upon Mr. 
Harlowe; he stood erect, and replied with em- 
phasis, almost haste: 

"That she positively refuses to do; she says 


GJHA y DA VS. 


263 


the contest must be fought out, and as well now 
as at any time. She says, and from the begin- 
ning has said, that nothing will induce her to 
return to Russia. A wonderful woman, Marsters 
— a wonderful woman! In fact, John, the calm- 
ness of her resolution has been — well, it dis- 
quiets me.” 

He leaned his head upon his hands, resting them 
on the mantelpiece. Marsters regarded him for a 
moment, and then went to him closely. There 
was awe in his tone when he spoke. 

“Do you mean ” 

“ I don’t know what I mean,” cried Harlowe, 
lifting his head, all the emotion and agitation he 
had suppressed coming to the surface in an instant. 
“ But I do know that if this thing goes wrong to 
the end, life will have but little value to me.” 

He looked defiantly at Marsters, as if he had 
said: “ There, you have the whole of it; make the 
most of it.” 

Looking so scrutinizingly into the eyes of his 
partner and friend, Mr. Marsters seemed to be 
stern. Then a wonderfully softened expression — 
wonderful in Marsters — stole over his face, an ex- 
pression of sympathizing pity. He placed his left 
hand upon the shoulder of Harlowe, his right 
grasping that of his partner. 

“ Good-by, Chester! ” he said. “ If a demon- 


264 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


stration is made, telegraph me at once, and Fll 
drop everything and come. Together wedl see 
that things do not go wrong. God bless you! '' 

They looked into each other’s eyes. No words 
were spoken, but the sympathy, and pledge of 
assistance, was well understood. Releasing Har- 
lowe’s hand, Marsters crossed the room, took 
up his hat, coat, and satchel, and went out. 

Mr. Harlowe stood still on the rug, nor even 
turned to watch him going. When the door 
closed he dropped into the chair at his side, and, 
bending forward, with his elbows resting on his 
knees, stared into the fire. 

What thoughts occupied his mind he did not 
make apparent, but so absorbing were they, and 
so dead was he to externals, that, though he heard, 
he was oblivious to the rap on the door; it was 
repeated several times before he answered. 

The messenger brought a request from the 
countess that he would see her in the general 
parlor. 

He obeyed her summons, and found her await- 
ing him. Despite his efforts to appear before her 
divested of the anxiety he had not attempted to 
conceal from his partner, the quick perceptions of 
the lady were not deceived. 

“ You have heard something to trouble you,” 
she said impulsively. 

No,” he replied as he placed a chair for her. 


GRA Y DAYS. 265 

for she was yet standing, no, nothing of any 
kind.” 

“ But you are anxious — troubled,” she per- 
sisted. 

I have been reflecting.” 

“Ah! You have not been the same smce the 
amusing blunder of the friend Dale.” 

“Amusing!” repeated Mr. Harlowe with sar- 
castic bitterness. 

“ Amusing I do say, for after all it was amus- 
ing,” replied the lady; and then, with the fatalism 
of her race, she added: “ Why worry? It was to 
be. You are not to blame! ” 

Mr. Harlowe bent over the lady looking up at 
him with a smile upon her face and with trust and 
confidence in her deep violet eyes. 

“You are more than good to say so; you are 
very generous,” he said after a moment, gravely. 
“ But you are wrong. I am very much to blame. 
I have done nothing whatever for you.” 

“You have done nothing for me!” she ex- 
claimed reproachfully. 

“ Nothing,” he insisted, “ for in a case like this 
everything must be measured by results. I have 
brought you none. My value to you, above any 
one of a thousand others, was that I had a close 
approach to the Secretary of State, who, in the 
nature of things, would have a controlling influence 
in our affairs. Where I was supposed to be strong. 


266 AMERICAN CA V ALIKE. ' 

I have failed — failed, possibly, to make the proper 
use of my advantage. I ant to blame.” 

“You have done nothing for me?” she re- 
peated, intense gratitude shining in her eyes. 
“ You have given me strength, and support, and 
friendship. You have inspired me to struggle, 
when I despaired. Ah!” 

She sprang to her feet as she exclaimed: 

“ And he calls this nothing — the devotion he 
has given me, so sacrificing and so delicate that I 
knew not before the meaning of delicacy; nothing! 
Ah! ” She swept across the room in an effort to 
control her rising emotion in action. “Ah! The 
man is so great that I seem little as I learn it.” 

She came back to him in her impulsive way. 

“ But enough of this now,” she said. “ I have 
had my mail to-day; it brings me news. The' secret 
police have been busy with my affairs in Russia. 
It has inquired until it knows just how I left Rus- 
sia, and who assisted me. It has visited my friends 
and seized my letters written from this country; 
and even taken from my old nurse the letters and 
the money I have sent her to keep her from 
starving.” 

“ This means what?” 

“ Something. What, I do not know; but some- 
thing. The secret police do not waste time on 
nothing. We shall hear in time. Kroupieve is not 
sleeping.” 


GA^A y DA VS. 


267 


^‘Hum!” Mr. Harlowe thought a moment. 
“ Then you think they are making up a case 
against you? ” 

“ That is my thought, my friend,” she replied 
calmly. “ It is preparation for my extradition.” 

Mr. Harlowe made no remark for some time, 
and when he did it was seemingly without rele- 
vance to the subject. 

“ Countess,” he said, “ I have advised from the 
beginning your seclusion from society.” 

“ Yes,” she replied, “ and your advice has ac- 
corded with my inclinations.” 

“ Now I shall advise the contrary.” 

‘‘The contrary?” asked the countess in open- 
eyed surprise. “ And why, dear friend? ” 

The conditions are all changed,” he went on. 
“ In the contest we have waged, and which ended 
so disastrously, it was advisable that it should not 
appear to be waged in the interest of a single indi- 
vidual, so we sought to seclude rather than ob- 
trude your personality. But now, if your appre- 
hensions are realized, you cannot escape from 
standing in the open in your own person. The 
attack will be made upon you without reserv^e. 
You are little known; you have but few friends 
or allies. Before Prince Kroupieve shall take the 
step you fear I propose that you shall become well 
known, shall have many friends and allies. To 
gather these you must enter into the social festivB 


268 AJV AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

ties. I would have you become the vogue — the 
fashion.” 

You think this is necessary? ” she asked. 

“ I would not advise it if I did not think so.” 

There was an expression of reluctance on the 
fair face, though she said nothing. Mr. Harlowe 
noted it. 

‘‘ Believe me, I see no pleasure in this,” he went 
on. “ Indeed, I am advising it against my own 
desires — perhaps to my own prejudice.” 

She looked up inquiringly; she did not compre- 
hend him. 

‘‘ But,” he went on, “ personal feelings must be 
sacrificed. Prince Kroupieve's agents could at- 
tack an unknown woman with few friends with 
comparative ease, but would find difficulty and 
array public sentiment against them in attacking 
one well known and with many friends, while we, 
in defense, could command the influence of allies. 
I even propose that you take a house, set up an 
establishment, and entertain brilliantly, in order 
to gather that army of allies.” 

“ It shall be as you will,” said the lady. “ I will 
be guided by you. You shall choose the house at 
once. I will send for Pietro to-day.” 


CHAPTER 11. 


CONSEQUENCES. 

Dale’s blunder had one peculiar effect. 

Melinda and himself were drawn into more 
kindly relations, and a respect for each other grew 
up in both. This was because of their bearing 
under the distressing circumstances of the blunder. 

When Dale comprehended all that it meant to 
the countess, and saw the prostrating disappoint- 
ment of Harlowe, he was for running away. Moral 
courage was not his strong point; all his life he 
had fled from disagreeable and unpleasant things. 
To meet daily and hourly the two persons so 
deeply wronged by his act, innocent as it was 
in motive, was more than he could contemplate. 
So, taking Flossie into his confidence, he told her 
he was going away. Where, he did not know, but 
somewhere out of sight of and contact with the 
consequences of the blunder. Fie had made no 
other defense of himself than that he had acted, as 
he supposed, in the line of his brother-in-law’s de- 
sire. Even when Mr. Marsters, losing momentary 
control of his temper, had intimated that Krou- 
pieve had exerted a pernicious influence upon him, 

269 


am AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

he had mildly replied that Mr. Marsters should 
know better, and that, when he was in a cooler 
frame of mind, he would regret the injustice of the 
remark. 

Flossie, desolated over the prospective loss of 
the companionship of her father, went in tears to 
Melinda for consolation. 

Melinda was much troubled. She knew only 
too well that it was she who had put the fatal idea 
into the mind of Dale; that he had undertaken 
the unfortunate enterprise at her suggestion and 
in a desire to please her. Before Flossie came to 
her she had recognized the manliness with which 
Dale had shielded her from blame by his silence, 
accepting all the odium without recourse to that 
oldest of all excuses, “ the woman tempted me.’' 
Fie had been strong enough to endure, while she 
had been too weak to confess her controlling in- 
fluence. She respected him; something she had 
never done before. 

“ I must see your uncle,” she said when she 
heard Flossie’s tale of woe. Hastening to her 
brother while her impulse was warm, she made a 
full confession, taking her due share of blame. Mr. 
Flarlowe was so much astonished by his sister’s 
admission of her weakness that he could not even 
draw from it a moral conclusion, but permitted 
himself to be taken to Dale, whom, if he did not 
wholly absolve of his participation in the disastrous 


CONSEQUENCES, 


271 


blunder, he at least commanded to remain where 
he was, and not make a greater fool of himself than 
he already done, by going away. 

So Dale stayed, to the content of Melinda and 
the great joy of Flossie, with a greater respect for 
his sister-in-law. 

But Dale was not wholly comfortable; there 
was the countess. If, with delicate consideration 
for his feelings, she avoided mention of the disaster 
in his presence, he felt that she laid the wreck of 
her hopes at his door; she had not been informed 
of Melinda’s influence in this act — she could not 
be without also telling her of Melinda’s jealousy 
and desire to have her removed from the family 
circle. 

Nor was he more comfortable in those circles 
outside where he was so welcome; the blunder was 
regarded as a rare joke, and the comment and wit- 
ticism leveled at him were very hard to bear with 
a smiling face and light manner. 

But when, as an astounding culmination of the 
joke, he ^vas offered the position of a civil magis- 
trate, Dale was confounded. It seemed to him as 
if the blunder, as to which Mr. Harlowe must 
naturally be sensitive, was to be embalmed in polit- 
ical history. With a rueful countenance he went 
to his brother-in-law, told him of the appointment, 
and at the same time of his intention of declining 
it, since it seemed as if he were benefiting by a 


5 7 ^ AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

misfortune he was instrumental in bringing upon 
his friends. Harlowe, however, laughed loud and 
long; it was such an absurd and fantastic culmina- 
tion. He bade Dale to accept the office, as he did 
not think political history would concern itself 
much about it. 

So Dale accepted the office and assumed its 
duties, and about the time he did, the fact was 
spread abroad that the Countess Naletoff, the in- 
teresting mystery of the Arlington, had broken 
her seclusion and incognito, had taken an his- 
torical house, and would renew the splendors of 
its hospitalities. 

Michaelovitch early carried the information to 
Prince Kroupieve, whereupon that gentleman be- 
came very grave. 

“ Have you confirmed the rumor? he inquired 
sternly. 

“ There is no doubt of it, master,” replied Ro- 
dion. “ The Harlowe has transacted all the busi- 
ness of the lease. He has tired of being the 
guardian of La Belle Comtessel' 

“ You are mistaken,” coldly said the prince. 
“ It is a profound stroke of policy upon the part of 
Mr. Harlowe; he is a very able man.” 

Rodion looked at his chief in astonishment. 
“ But ” he began. 

The prince silenced him with an impatient wave 
of his hand. 


CONSEQUENCES. 


273 


Mr. Harlowe has anticipated my plans; he 
meets me at every turn and doubly increases my 
difficulties. Not one single triumph is to my 
credit in this contest with him.’’ 

'' Ah, master! ” exclaimed Rodion reproachfully, 
yet respectfully, the treaty! ” 

“ Not my triumph! ” replied Kroupieve severely. 
'' I will not let myself be deceived. I was already 
beaten until that light-headed fool Dale, by his 
blunder, brought about my desires. It was my 
good fortune, not my achievement.” 

Rodion did not reply. This self-depreciation of 
the prince was unusual, and portended that his 
master was deeply disgusted. 

W e have measured our abilities against each 
other,” the prince went on, rather as if thinking 
aloud, and I have not triumphed. Even with 
the treaty secured, so skillfully did Mr. Harlowe 
conduct himself that I am in a false position under 
it, for he made me concede the very point I bent 

all my energies to avoid. And now 

He stopped, rose from his seat, walking up and 
down his apartment. Rodion watched him with 
interest. He could not see why the mere fact of 
a lady taking the place in society to which she was 
entitled should So disturb his chief. 

And now? ” he finally asked, unable longer to 
restrain his curiosity. 

'' And now, instead of demanding the extradi- 


274 


AJV A M ERICA N CA VA LIER. 


tion of an unknown woman, I must demand that 
of a woman of rank and fashion, with powerful 
friends to protest on her behalf.” 

“ But, master,” said Rodion, ‘‘ she is not that.” 

‘‘ She will be, under the skillful guidance of this 
lawyer, whom I thought I could crush as I would 
a fly between my thumb and forefinger.” 

Rodion comprehended. The prince continued: 

“ That is what this new move of Harlowe means. 
He is very able. Well, he shall not find me idle 
in the meantime. Matters must be pressed with 
greater haste at home. I must go even more into 
this detestable society. And you, Rodion, you 
have new work to do. This lady — this Countess 
Naletoff — who aspires to lead the fashions, must 
not go forward to her triumphal march without 
encountering obstacles. Come with me, and you 
shall have your instructions.” 


CHAPTER III. 


MR. HARLOWE’S diplomacy. 

What the instructions the Prince gave to Ro- 
dion Michaelovitch were Mr. Harlowe learned in 
good time. 

The establishment of the countess as a feature 
of Washington society that winter was successfully 
carried forward, and with vigor and speed. Mr. 
Harlowe had made no empty boast when he prom- 
ised that he would open all doors to his client, 
even the more exclusive. By no means a consider- 
able figure in aristocratic, or indeed fashionable 
circles, yet he could command influences which he 
exerted with such skill and deftness that the 
strings he pulled were not observed. His success, 
however, would not have been so complete had he 
not had a wonderful aid in the countess herself. 
In less than a month from the day that the doors 
of her new home were opened she was talked of 
as no other woman in Washington was; and in 
W'ashington, as we all know, that is the highest 
passport to favor. It is vulgar, but it is true. Pier 
grace, her beauty, her toilettes, and her winsonie- 
ness were subjects for columns of tattle in the pub- 


275 


276 AjV americaa^ cavalier. 

lie press; her tact and wit made her salon, in an 
astonishingly short time, the most attractive place 
in the city for the elect and the distinguished on 
her weekly days. Distinguished statesmen stole 
an hour from legislative and administrative 
duties to grace her parlors; and she avoided a mis- 
take often made; she cultivated the wives and 
daughters of powerful families with even greater 
assiduity than she did the wielders of power. 
When she gave her first grand dance she was the 
vogue. Harlowe, in the background, but always 
present, watched with an increasing admiration 
the woman who was executing his plans with such 
consummate tact and intelligence; Kroupieve, 
never failing in his appearance, and vying with all 
others in conspicuous deference to the lady, 
watched with increasing alarm the rapidity of her 
advance. 

One day there struggled into circulation a bit 
of scandal, coming from whence no one knew, but 
most industriously impelled by an invisible force. 
In it was involved the name of the countess; it 
was not very bad, since it did not touch the moral 
life of the lady. The intimation was that the lady 
was a nihilist, whose absence from her country 
was compulsory. 

We all know what nihilists are,” it was whis- 
pered by all manner of people who did not know; 
“ people of blood, you know, who do not hesitate 


MR. harlowf:s diplomacy. ^77 

over the most wicked crimes — dynamite and all 
the rest — in the sacred name of liberty and all 
that; perverted sort of beings, who bind them- 
selves to obey the orders of secret societies, even 
if it leads them to the taking of life; and — well, 
you know, the countess left Russia very suddenly, 
and all of her relatives have been sent to Siberia/’ 

Immediately alive to the circulation of this 
small bit of scandal, Mr. Harlowe, earnestly 
observant, could not see that it had any other 
effect than to increase the interest and curi- 
osity with which the countess was regarded. 
But he knew this was but the beginning of an 
organized movement to lessen the influence the 
countess had acquired. He determined to deal 
with the matter promptly and with boldness. 

So, one day, to his great surprise, the Prince 
Kroupieve received the card of Mr. Harlowe. 
Turning it over and over, as if he would discover 
through it some indication of the purpose of the 
lawyer’s call, the Russian hesitated, thought, and 
finally concluded to admit his visitor. 

He received Mr. Harlowe with extreme cour- 
tesy, permitting no appearance of the fact that, 
when they had parted on the previous occasion 
of their meeting, it was with something like 
hostility. 

Mr. Harlowe had neither time nor inclination 
for courtesies; he had not expected to be admitted 


27S am AMERICAM CAVALIER. 

to the prince’s presence; indeed he preferred to be 
denied admittance. His call was merely a move 
in the game, and he desired open hostility. By ad- 
mitting him the prince had scored better than he 
knew, for he embarrassed his opponent. 

So soon as he could Mr. Harlowe opened the 
business of his call. 

“ You are no doubt informed,” he said, “ that I 
stand in the relation of counsel to the Countess 
Naletoff.” 

'' Yes,” the prince replied, “ I have been so told. 
I have not been able to understand why a lady — 
a foreigner — traveling in this country should need 
a counsel, but since she thinks she does, her 
judgment in selection has not been at fault.” 

There was far more sincerity in this reply, de- 
livered with a courteous bow, than Mr. Harlowe 
gave credit for; indeed, he thought he detected 
an accompanying sneer, but he ignored his 
thought, for he was determined not to lose his 
temper. 

‘‘ Assuming that position,” he went on, “ I 
assume, as a consequence, the position of the 
guardianship of the lady’s rights, privileges, and 
good fame.” 

“ She could not have a better guardian,” cour- 
teously replied the prince. 

“ Whether she could have done better is not a 
subject for discussion for me,” said Mr. Harlowe; 


MR. MARLOWE'S DIPLOMACY. 

“ but the time has arrived when I must exercise 
my office/' 

“Ah!" said the prince with an affectation of 
solicitous interest, “ the good fame of the lady has 
been attacked? " 

“ I have not said so," promptly returned Mr. 
Harlowe. “ But since her rights, to an extent, 
have been invaded, I am led to suppose that the 
time is not far distant when an attempt on her fair 
fame will be made." 

“ You distress me," said the prince. “ I regret 
that a countrywoman of mine should have placed 
herself in such a position as to give rise to your 
apprehensions." 

“ Please do not give my words a meaning they 
do not convey, prince," said Mr. Harlowe with 
dignity. “ My apprehensions are not as to any- 
thing she has done, but as to what other people 
are intending to do, and have already begun." 

“ Ah! " the prince replied with an assumption of 
bored indifference, “ perhaps you will be good 
enough to be more explicit." 

“ Within a short time the rumor has been set 
afloat that the countess, being a nihilist, was com- 
pelled to leave Russia hurriedly." 

“ Yes; I have heard something of that." 

“ I am sure you have." 

“ It has been widely circulated." 

“ Most ingeniously and intelligently circulated. 


28 o AJV AMElilCAM CAVALIER. 

the source carefully concealed,” replied Mr. Har- 
lowe impressively. 

“ Well, my dear Mr. Harlowe,” said the prince, 
artistically suppressing a carefully conceived yawn. 
‘‘ Assuming all this to be true, what then? ” 

' “ It is not true, and no one is better informed 
as to that than the Prince Kroupieve.” 

The prince laughed cynically. 

“ Oh, sir, you give me credit for greater informa- 
tion than I possess, and, besides, you are far from 
specific. You say that the rumor, industriously 
circulated, charges the countess with being a 
nihilist, and with a hurried flight from Russia. 
There are two assertions; which of them do you 
mean that I am informed is not true? ” 

Both.” 

The prince laughed again, apparently in great 
enjoyment. 

' “ My dear sir, were you a Russian or one familiar 
with Russian life and conditions I would say that 
you were amusingly innocent, but, since you are 
one of these favored liberty-possessing Americans, 
your belief is perhaps pardonable.” 

“ And earnest and sincere,” replied Mr. Harlowe 
firmly. 

“Ah! Let us then take the matter of the 
nihilist. There are many of those people in my 
country — many more than the authorities can 
tell; circumstances — accidents sometimes — dis- 


MR. HARLOWKS DIPLOMACY. 


281 


cover that a trusted agent of government, an inti- 
mate friend, a boon companion, your mistress is a 
nihilist. How, then, can I say that I know that 
anyone is not a nihilist? They are found in all 
ranks. The most I can say is that I do not know 
that anyone is a nihilist. As to the countess, I can 
say that I do not know that she is a nihilist.’^ 

Your reply is adroit and ingenious,” said Mr. 
Harlowe. “At least you can refrain from saying 
that she is a nihilist.” 

The prince looked up quickly, an angry gleam in 
his eye. 

“ Do you mean to sav that I have said she is 
one?” 

With a shrewa, sarcastic smile the lawyer 
replied: 

“ I do not know that you have said so,” he 
added ; “ but your knowledge as to her hurried 
flight from Europe? ” 

“ I suppose there is no doubt anywhere that 
the countess did hurriedly and secretly leave 
Russia? ” 

“ But not because of nihilism,” quickly re- 
sponded Mr. Harlowe. “ Upon that point at least 
the prince has exact knowledge.” 

“ Such information as Mr. Harlowe has on that 
point must have been gained from the countess.” 

Mr. Harlowe bowed in acquiescence. 

“That, then,” continued the prince, with a 


282 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


shrewd smile, would by lawyers, I believe, be 
called ex parti." 

He looked at Mr. Harlowe for an answer, which 
the lawyer made after some little hesitation: 

“ An uncontradicted or uncontroverted state- 
ment at length assumes the character of truth.” 

“ Possibly,” returned the prince, but — I hope 
I will not be judged offensive — but who is it that 
makes the advocate and the counsel of the lady 
the determining judge in a dispute in which she is 
a party? ” 

Mr. Harlowe felt that he was not advancing in 
the purpose of his call; that so far he was being 
outgeneraled, and was placed at a disadvantage. 
He rose from his chair. 

“ I fear the prince is too adroit in the handling 
of delicate weapons for a mere republican lawyer,” 
he said. ‘‘ I am forced then to the use of those 
in which, perhaps, the danger is greater,- if less 
skill is required in their wielding.” 

The prince rose, much interested. 

The fact remains,” Mr. Harlowe continued, 
that the rumors concerning the countess are 
circulated. Neither a Russian familiar with Rus- 
sian conditions, nor a diplomatist trained to believe 
nothing and everything, I am yet a man of some 
experience, accustomed to rely with confidence 
upon my knowledge of human nature.” 


MR. MARLOWE'S DIPLOMACY. 283 

“ A slight support, sir,” laughed the prince. 

“Perhaps,” returned Mr. Harlowe; “neverthe- 
less I lean confidently upon it, and I am firmly 
convinced that the Countess Naletoff is neither a 
nihilist, nor even remotely connected with one who 
is, notwithstanding that the wrongs she has en- 
dured at the hands of those wielding imperial 
power might well have turned her into one.” 

The prince attempted eagerly to speak, but Mr. 
Harlowe prevented him. 

“ Do not mistake or misapprehend my words,” 
interposed Mr. Harlowe. “ Everything I express 
is mine, not that of the countess. Permit me, 
without further delay, to discharge the purpose of 
the call. It is within your power by a single 
utterance to put an end to these rumors. I have 
come to ask if you will do so.” 

“ My dear sir,” laughed the prince most cyni- 
cally. “ How can I after I have explained that I 
cannot know but that they are true? ” 

“ Nor that the previous life and course and 
affiliations of the countess make it highly im- 
probable? ” 

“ Oh, how little you know of our Russia! ” The 
prince shrugged his shoulders. “ The most im- 
probable of people are the most probable of 
nihilists.” 

“ Under the Russian Criminal Code,” promptly 


284 AiV AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

retorted Mr. Harlowe. Yes; I know that. How- 
ever, I shall not affect to misunderstand you. You 
decline to quiet these rumors.’’ 

The prince shrugged his shoulders and spread 
his hands in a deprecatory manner. 

These rumors,” Mr. Harlowe continued, are, 
as I firmly believe, but a prelude of others of a 
more damaging nature to be as secretly and as 
indirectly circulated. They will be circulated in 
pursuance of a well-conceived plan working to an 
end which I flatter myself I have anticipated. I 
would like to say that the methods employed, how- 
ever successfully elsewhere, are likely to prove 
dangerous to those who employ them here — in 
this country — indeed, to have the nature of a 
boomerang.” 

“ I have no doubt,” said the prince with an un- 
mistakable sneer at this time, “ that Mr. Harlowe 
is as wise in this matter as he is in all things, but, 
surely he will pardon me if I say I fail to see why 
I should be made the recipient of his wisdom.” 

Because,” replied Mr. Harlowe — “ I hope I 
shall not be offensive — I firmly believe, am con- 
vinced by investigation, that the Prince Krou- 
pieve is employing those methods.” 

“ Sir! ” exclaimed the prince angrily, you abuse 
my courtesy.” 

I hope not,” replied Mr. Harlowe calmly. “ I 
have not considered that point. Had I done so, 


MR. HARLOIVE' S DIPLOMACY. 285 

it would not have deterred me from expressing my 
opinion. I did not come here, nor do I ask, for 
your courtesy. I am here to say that the present 
rumor must be quieted, and that you must desist 
from further rumors.” 

‘‘ Sir! I would have you expelled from my 
apartments for your insolence,” haughtily replied 
the prince, '' but that I know that it is a curious 
instance of impotent American — what you call — 
bounce.” 

“ No; it is not impotent,” replied Mr. Harlowe, 
quite unmoved. think we quite understand 
each other, prince. I am not to be imposed upon, 
for I know you as no other man in this country 
does.” 

The prince laughed sardonically. 

“ Don’t sneer nor laugh, prince,” continued Mr. 
Harlowe. This day will probably end our inter- 
course, and you would do better to hear me out 
to the end. I know you, I say; I know the rela-^ 
tions you would occupy toward the countess; I 
know your motives and the end, and the further 
ends you seek to achieve; I know that they have 
in your interest been made state affairs; I know 
that for you the treaty meant this and only 
this; I know how you persecuted the countess 
until she fled Russia to escape you; I know 
also that you are here as the secret emissary of the 
Emperor; and I know how you, unauthorized, so 


286 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


far as other nations would regard you, have inter- 
fered in the diplomatic affairs between this and 
other nations not your own.” 

And knowing these things, what then? ” 
sneered the Russian. 

“ There is a free press in this country, and if 
there is one single suggestion of further rumors,^! 
will deny them in the public press, tell their source, 
the purpose sought to be attained, and inform the 
world who you are and what you are and the 
despicable methods you stoop to employ.” 

“ You do not dare — the press would not dare,” 
exclaimed the Russian, aghast. 

“ Oh, yes! It would all be very acceptable. The 
press is free here, prince; there is over it no super- 
vision or censorship, and it resents any attempt at 
influence.” 

“ Would you involve the two countries in a 
war? ” 

” Oh, no! There’ll be no war. You are a very 
important man, prince, but you cannot make of 
yourself a casus belli. This is my ultimatum, 
prince.” 

Mr. Harlowe moved toward the door. I 
know,” he said as he laid his hand on the knob, 
you regard my treatment of this matter as quite 
brutal — as coarse and vulgar. I admit it. I 
admit that I am not a match for you in fence with 
rapiers; with the bludgeon of main strength and 


MR, HARLOWKS DIPLOMACY. 287 

unalterable determination, however, I secure my 
point. It is no idle threat that I make.” 

‘‘ May I ask,” said the prince with all the sneer- 
ing contempt he could express by face and tone, 
‘‘ whether you represent the national type of 
chivalry?” 

Mr. Harlowe had opened the door as he had 
finished his speech, but on hearing the question he 
closed it again. 

“ That is a question I cannot answer,” he 
replied, “ but I can tell you that the peculiarity of 
the chivalry of this nation is that it resents as a 
personal injury the oppression of a woman and 
holds in bitter contempt the oppressor. In fact, 
in the more highly civilized portions of the country 
— the mining districts and the Pacific coast — it 
has even been known to lynch the oppressor. I 
bid you good-day.” 

He went out of the room, leaving the prince 
standing in the middle of the floor. 


CHAPTER IV. 


A RENEWAL OF HOSTILITIES. 

In the circulation of the rumor as to her con- 
nection with nihilism the countess saw a repetition 
of the methods which had driven her from France. 
As did Mr. Harlowe, she apprehended the spread 
of further rumors attacking her private character. 
This she had experienced in Paris; there it had 
been without effect, for with strict caution and ex- 
treme watchfulness she had avoided all compromis- 
ing situations, and the very circumspection of her 
life prevented a single incident upon which suspi- 
cion could hang an argument. In Paris it requires 
something more than vague gossip to ostracize a 
woman. There her great annoyance had been 
spies, who followed her everywhere, even finding 
place in her own household. In Washington she 
was freed from all this. The protection Mr. Har- 
lowe had afforded her in his own family, and the 
watchful care he exercised over the house, made 
it inexpedient and inadvisable to attempt that 
sort of espionage. The prince himself, after a 
short residence in the country, found that there 


A RENEWAL OF HOSTILITIES. 


289 


was little to be gained and much to be lost by the 
employment of such agents. But what the count- 
ess feared was the circulation of scandalous rumor. 
She had lived long enough in the States to learn 
that slander and scandal were serious; that the 
American matron was given to looking askance 
upon and drawing her skirts from on^e who was 
“talked about”; that it was not necessary that 
the thing should be proved, but only alleged, to 
have the condemnation of avoidance fall. Hence 
she lived in apprehension. 

Mr. Harlowe had neither informed the countess 
that he intended to visit the prince, nor afterward 
that he had. In the first instance he did not know 
how the enterprise would result and feared to 
raise hopes that might not be realized; in the other 
he had no immediate results to bring her, so he 
maintained silence. 

In fact, when he sent his card to the prince he 
did not expect to be admitted, but he had 
determined that the threat he did make should 
reach the prince in an authoritative manner. 
Though contemplating the rather remote, as hcL 
regarded, contingency of seeing the prince, never- 
theless he had carefully considered the course to 
pursue. He had therefore arrived at the conclu- 
sion that any effort at forcing the matter to the 
point of obtaining from the prince a declaration 
as to what he would do under the threat, would 


390 


AJV AAIERTCAN’ CA FAL/ER. 


be unwise. Rather he thought to show the prince 
what could be done, and what light he could be 
placed in, and let him consider it without being 
forced to any admission, or a defiance, would be 
more likely to result in withholding the prince. 

In no little suspense and anxiety, then, he saw 
the weeks p;iss without fresh rumors being spread, 
and indeed saw the nihilistic one subside, so that 
he finally reached the conclusion that he had won 
a decided victory over the prince. In the content- 
ment and exhilaration of that conclusion he told 
the countess. 

It was on one of her reception days, in the lat- 
ter part of the winter, that he told her. He had 
entered late in the afternoon when the guests were 
departing, and had met the prince in the hall. 
They had exchanged stately bows; and Mr. Har- 
lowe, though he had advised that nothing should 
be done to even indicate that the prince’s visits 
were not agreeable, could hardly restrain his in- 
dignation over the thought that the man who had 
so long and so persistently persecuted the count- 
ess should have the audacity to present himself 
before her. 

The last one had gone when the countess, 
throwing herself upon a fauteuil, said: 

“ I am glad you came; Prince Kroupieve was 
here again.” 

‘‘ Yes; I met him in the hall as I entered.” 


A j^enepval of hostilities. 291 

He never fails; and twice recently has sent 
his card in when I have been alone.” 

“ And you saw him? ” 

“ No; I will not see him alone. On such a day, 
when others are present', yes, he may come. It is 
better so.” 

Mr. Harlowe thought a moment, and then said: 

” I cannot fathom his purpose. He gives coun- 
tenance and strength to your position by appear- 
ing here, polite, deferential, and respectful. Were 
he to stay away it would be marked, and would be 
commented upon to your disadvantage — that is, 
he could make it appear to your disadvantage 
without being called to account for it.” 

There are no new rumors? ” said the countess. 

“ No; and I am now satisfied there will not be. 
The old one is dying out.” 

“ And why, friend? ” 

Mr. Harlowe told her of his visit lo the prince. 

She listened to the recital with intense interest 
and heightened color, bending forward that she 
might not lose a word, her face reflecting the 
emotion the tale called forth, and her eyes never 
lifted from his face. 

“ And he did not insult you? ” 

“ Oh, he tried to! I had insulted him.” 

“ He did not challenge you to duel?” 

‘'Oh, no! In the first place, this is America, 
where the duello is not recognized; again, the 


292 AN AMEIUCAN cavaijbe. 

prince, not being a man of honor, was not com- 
pelled to defend anything, since no one else was 
present/' 

‘‘ You are very brave! ” she exclaimed. 

“Brave!" repeated Mr. Harlowe. “There was 
nothing brave in what I did." 

“ The prince more than once has been on the 
field of honor." 

“ The field of honor! " exclaimed Mr. Harlowe. 
“Ah! Yes. But, countess, in this country we 
have taken down the fences about that field and 
turned it into a common." 

“ You attacked hjs honor. I am surprised he 
did not resent it." 

“ There is a kind of honor, countess, which its 
possessor regarding as he does his life, is quick to 
defend and for its own sake, but Kroupieve’s is of 
a kind, sensitive only when there are witnesses to 
an attack upon it. With such men there is great 
safety in dialogue." 

The face of the countess expressed an admira- 
tion for Mr. Harlowe that embarrassed and con- 
fused him. After a while she withdrew her eyes 
from him and bent them upon the floor, appar- 
ently in thought, but Mr. Harlowe soon became 
aware that she was making a strong effort to con- 
trol and suppress an agitation for which there 
seemed to be no reason. 

She rose from her seat impulsively — so impul- 


A RENEWAL OF HOSTILITIES. 

sively as to cause Mr. Harlowe to rise also. 
She made a movement toward him in the same 
impulsive manner, but checked herself. 

“ Go now,” she said. “ I am not myself. If I 
speak to tell you my gratitude I will ” 

“Don’t speak of gratitude!” interrupted Mr. 
Harlowe. “ You are unnerved by the strain these 
social affairs put upon you. I do not believe — 
that is, I fancy that they are disagreeable to you. 
Well, I am beginning to think that you may bring 
it all to an end if you wish.” 

“ Why? ” she asked. 

“ I think that Kroupieve has abandoned the 
effort, or — perhaps better said — the contest.” 

“ You do not know the man! ” 

At this moment the servant entered, bearing a 
note for the countess. Taking it from the salver, 
with no little excitement she recognized the writ- 
ing of the man who was at the moment their topic. 

“ The prince! ” she exclaimed. “ Will you per- 
mit me? ” 

Rapidly she opened the letter and absorbed its 
contents. 

“You are right!” she cried, making no effort 
to conceal her joy. “ You are right! The prince 
abandons the contest. Read! ” 

She handed the note to Mr. Harlowe, who read: 

“ The Prince Kroupieve presents his compli- 


294 am/-:a^/can cavalier. 

meiits to the Countess Naletoff; and, having been 
unable to secure, even for a brief moment, uninter- 
rupted speech with her during this afternoon, now 
begs that she will receive him this evening. The 
prince begs to announce that he has been recalled 
to Russia by the instructions of his Imperial 
Master.” 

'' Yes,” said Harlowe; “ that would seem to be 
the inference. He has abandoned the contest, ' 
but not a last effort to persuade you.” 

“ You shall see my reply.” 

She hastened into an inner apartment, followed 
by Mr. Harlowe, and, seating herself at a writing 
table, hastily dashed off these lines: 

'The Countess Naletoff presents her compli- 
ments to the Prince Kroupieve, and begs to say 
that, wearied with the afternoon, she will be ' at 
home ’ to no one this evening.” 

She handed the note to Mr. Harlowe with a 
laugh. 

“ It is curt and unmistakable,” he replied. 

Perhaps it is as well, though.” 

He handed it back to her. As she took it she 
laughed again. 

“ Really,” she said, " you speak as if you felt 
sorrow for him,’’ , 


A RENEWAL OF HOSTILITIES. 295 

“ Pity I do,” he replied gravely. 

“ Pity? And why? ” as she inclosed the note. 

“ Because the note assures him of a loss which 
must be very hard to bear — very hard to bear.” 

The countess, struck perhaps more by his tone 
than by his words, turned slowly to look at him 
and met his eyes bent earnestly upon her — so 
earnestly and with such meaning that she flushed 
under it. They were each only saved from an em- 
barrassment by the entry again of the servant, 
who told Mr. Harlowe that Mr. Dale was in the 
reception room very anxious to see him. 

Mr. Harlowe, with a feeling of alarm he could 
not account for, though probably due to the fact 
that Dale had sought him there, and therefore on 
a mission of more than usual importance, imme- 
diately went to him. 

A glance at Dale’s face justified his feeling of 
alarm. Dale was pale and excited. 

Harlowe,” he cried, “ you are alone? ” 

‘‘Yes; what is the matter? ” 

“ The extradition of the countess has been de- 
manded.” 

Harlowe staggered; he grasped at the back of 
a chair for support. The blood left his face so sud- 
denly that for a moment Dale thought his brother- 
in-law would faint. It was such a shock to come 
just at the moment when he and the countess were 
felicitating themselves that the contest was ended 


296 AjV AA/£KICAN ca vaijer. 

— that Kroupieve had abandoned the field. And 
now it was on again in its worst and final form. 
The letter of Kroupieve, so far from being a con- 
fession of defeat, was something far different — 
perhaps a tender of compromise or of concession. 
Under the impulse of this thought, he turned 
toward the door to ask the countess not to send 
the letter, but to see the prince as he requested. 
But at the door he was checked by another 
thought. There was no such thing as compromise 
or concession. To win anything, the prince must 
win all — the countess must return to Russia. 
Kroupieve meant only to suggest that the count- 
ess should yield before the machinery of govern- 
ment was put in operation. He turned back 
to Dale. 

“ How do you know this? ” 

“ It was given to me confidentially,” replied 
Dale. The demand has only just been made. 
There is no mistake about it, Chester.” 

The countess entered. She carried in her hand 
the note she had just addressed to the prince. She 
saw at once that something more than usual had 
occurred. When they looked at her she knew 
that the occurrence was related to herself. 

'' What is it? ” she asked. 

Mr. Harlowe hesitated a moment. 

“ Tell me! ” she demanded imperiously. Con- 
ceal nothing from me.” 


A REI^EIVAL OF HOSTILITIES. 297 

“ We were mistaken/' replied Harlowe. ‘'Krou- 
pieve has not abandoned the contest." 

Ah! My extradition is demanded." 

“ Yes," said Harlowe simply. 

“ Yes," she repeated. “ Kroupieve never for- 
gets, never foregoes, never ceases." 

“ That letter," said Harlowe, pointing to the 
one she held in her hand ; “ is it wise to send it 
now? " 

“ Why? " she asked. 

“ Were he to come, it might be to offer some 
mitigation of his stern determination." 

“ He will be content with nothing but sur- 
render." 

To send it now in that shape will be taken as 
a defiance and a challenge." 

“ Ah!" 

The countess stepped to the bell and rang it. 
The others, surprised, looked to see what she 
meant to do. She merely smiled at them, more 
brave and self-possessed than either. The ser\^ant 
appeared at the door. 

'' Take this note," she said, “ to its address at 
once. Let there be no delay." 


CHAPTER V. 


A BOMB EXPLODES. 

The hour at which Dale communicated his fate- 
ful news was too late for Mr. Harlowe to confirm 
it. The sources of information he might naturally 
expect to approach were beyond his reach that 
night. He did not doubt the truth of Dale’s tale, 
but, on questioning him, the lawyer discovered that 
his knowledge was not exact, and that he could 
tell nothing but that Russia had preferred a claim 
for the surrender of the countess. A hope sprang 
up in his breast, and, after the manner of the pro- 
verbial drowning man clutching at a straw, he 
thought perhaps Russia had made a tentative de- 
mand, hoping for a construction of the disputed 
clauses. He expressed that idea to the countess, 
possibly as much to lessen her apprehension and 
fear as because of strong belief in its truth. 

“ No,” said the countess, with a calmness and 
decision that surprised both himself and Dale; 
” there is nothing experimental in it. The demand 
is made in the name of Russia, but it is made by 
Kroupieve. He is earnest and determined. I 

298 


J BOMB EXPLODES. 


299 


know the man too well. This is the means — one 
of the means — to the end he has pursued so relent- 
lessly. It may be the last that he can employ. If 
it is, he is all the more dangerous.” 

“ More dangerous? ” repeated Mr. Harlowe. 
“ I do not follow you.” 

If he should fail to secure my surrender,” said 
the countess, ” I would be safe in my residence in 
this country, would I not? ” 

“ Yes, unquestionably,” replied Mr. Harlowe, 
not yet perceiving the direction of her thoughts. 

“ Then it may be said that this is his last effort 
— his last resource. Is that not logical? ” 

“ True; but why is he the more dangerous? ” 

“ Because, having staked his all upon his last 
card, he will do so with the recklessness of an un- 
scrupulous gambler. Let us not forget the man. 
He is tenacious of his purpose beyond any man I 
ever knew, or heard, or read of. He made Russia 
a hell to me; he followed me to France, and drove 
me to America; and you know how relentless he 
has been here. All in pursuance of his end. What 
he has done he will do. As he has not failed to use 
the most unscrupulous means in the past, when 
his resources were many, at what will he stop when 
he has but one, and that his last? To all that he 
has done will he add recklessness? Yes, all the lies, 
the frauds, the tricks he can think will serve his 
purpose — these will he employ.” 


306 AAT AMERiCAh^ CA VAUER. 

“ But we can bring him into the courts to sus- 
tain his position.” 

“Ah!” 

“ He will be forced to contend that the treaty 
is retroactive, and under it crimes or offenses com- 
mitted prior to the date of the convention can be 
considered.” 

“Ah!” The tone was hopeless, incredulous. 

“ The courts must construe the clauses.” 

“ You do not know upon what charges the de- 
mand is based. Be prepared for any ingenuity.” 

While Mr. Harlowe marveled at the calmness 
and self-control of the lady, at the absence of any- 
thing like panic, yet he thought she was more 
affected by the news at that time, when it first 
came upon her, than she would be later, after she 
had become accustomed to its contemplation. He 
said this. But she shook her head. 

“No,” she replied; “there has been no time 
since the treaty was confirmed that I have not 
been prepared for just this moment.” 

Dale fairly writhed in his chair. It was such 
condemnation of his blunder, and showed him so 
clearly what a disaster she regarded the failure of 
those plans; how hopeless she was now as to the 
end. But the countess was not thinking of him. 

“ Surely,” asked Mr. Harlowe, fairly frightened 
by her pessimism, “ you do not mean to supinely 
yield to the demand — without struggle? ” 


A BOMB EXPLODES. 30 1 

The countess looked at him and smiled. He 
could not read the meaning of her eyes. They 
seemed to be reading him — to express thoughts 
and emotions not germane to the subject which 
should wholly engross her. He felt a pathos in 
them which was not out of a self-pity — a great- 
ness which had lifted her above herself; and withal 
there was such trustfulness of him — such kindli- 
ness for him. 

She leaned forward and placed her hand upon 
his. 

“ My friend, I shall not desert you in your battle 
for me,’’ she said. “ I will make the supreme 
struggle. I will never go back to Russia. Prince 
Kroupieve shall not be triumphant.” 

She smiled ineffably, and on her face were calm- 
ness and restfulness. 

Dale did not comprehend, but he was inexpress- 
ibly moved; as he struggled to suppress his emo- 
tion he looked at Mr. Harlowe, and was shocked 
by the expression of intense pain pictured on his 
brother-in-law’s face. 

“ Come ! ” she cried, changing her mood and 
springing to her feet. “ I am yet free. The Stars 
and Stripes still wave their protection for me. 
We will to dinner. You will dine with me — ^both of 
you? It may be the last dinner I can offer. 
Come! We will be merry! We will drink wine! 
What was it those brave fellows in India drank to? 


-02 


A.V AMEJ^ICAN cavaliee. 


Fine fellows! We will drink ta the next who is 
dead! Come!” 

Harlowe started up in horrified protest; but a 
servant came to say that the note to the prince 
had been delivered, that Miss Flossie Dale im- 
patiently awaited her father, and that dinner 
would be served when madame ordered it. 

The announcement served as a diversion. 

“ Is Flossie here?” asked Harlowe, turning to 
Dale eagerly. 

“ I had forgotten she was waiting for me— yes.” 

“ Then bring her here,” commanded Mr. Har- 
lowe, purpose sounding in his tones. 

But there was no need to go for her. Flossie 
herself appeared in the door, pouting and com- 
plaining. She had a grievance against her father, 
which had to give way to another at once. 

You must remain here and dine with the 
countess,” said Mr. Harlowe decisively. And 
you, too. Dale. I must go now.” 

“Dine with the countess!” exclaimed Flossie 
in an injured tone. “ Why, Fm not dressed for 
dinner — am I, countess? ” 

The countess went to the pouting Flossie and 
put her arm affectionately about the girl as Mr. 
Harlowe said impatiently: 

“ Never mind the dress. Do as you are told.” 

To Dale, whom he drew apart, he said: 

“ Do not leave the countess. If you were ever 


A BOMB EXPLODES. 


303 

gay — ever amusing — be so to-night. Laugh, 
sing, dance — do everything but let her think. A 
time has come when you can be of use. Lm 
going.” 

He walked out of the room and house hastily. 

“ Then we’ll dine without our good friend,” said 
the countess with a gayety which was contradicted 
by a suppressed sob in her throat. Come, mes 
enfants! Come! Let dinner be served.” 

Mr. Harlowe, a prey to conflicting emotions, 
hastened to the hotel where he was living. As he 
entered the general parlor he encountered Me- 
linda. She was clad as if she had but just returned 
from the street. 

” Oh! you are here! ” she cried excitedly. “ I 
have been searching for you. A demand has been 
made for the extradition of the countess.” 

“ Yes; I know! ” 

‘‘ You have heard it? From whom? ” 

“ Dale!” 

Ah! He found you, then. He told me, and I 
sent him after you — told him where you would be 
found, most likely.” 

Mr. Harlowe made a gesture of protest that had 
more of weariness than impatience in it, and sat 
himself in a chair without reply. 

“ Is it serious? ” asked Melinda. 

I don’t know,” replied Mr. Harlowe. “ I do 
not know on what charge the demand is based.” 


304 AAr AMERICAN- CA VALlER, 

“ What charge would be serious? she per- 
sisted. 

“ Oh, I don’t know, Melinda,” replied Harlowe 
despondently. Perhaps it is not serious at all. 
There is an obstacle to be overcome in any demand 
that is made for her. The allegation, since she has 
been a resident in this country for six months prior 
to the date of the treaty, must be as to offenses 
committed prior thereto. That makes a difficulty 
for them and a ground for defense for us.” 

“ Chester! ” said Melinda, going to him and lay- 
ing her hand on his shoulder; “ Chester! it is 
serious.” 

“Oh, yes!” he said, thinking her words con- 
veyed nothing more than apprehension. “ In its 
mildest aspect it is serious.” 

“ But this demand is serious; I know it.” 

He looked up inquiringly, puzzled. 

“ The allegation is as to offenses committed 
since the making of the Treaty,” she said. 

“ Impossible! ” He leaped to his feet in his sur- 
prise. “ How do you know this? ” 

“ I have been out and learned the fact.” 

“ Oh, no! ” he said. “ You have been misin- 
formed. That can never be.” 

“ I am afraid it is only too true, Chester. Your 
defense has been avoided — ^just as it would have 
been if you had carried out your plans as you 
wanted them to go.” 


A BOMB EXPLODES. 


305 


But who was your informant? 

“ The Attorney General. He is an oldfriend of 
mine, you know.” 

“Yes; and it is before him? ” 

“ No; I went to him in my anxiety for you. He 
knew nothing of it, but told me he would inform 
himself as to the demand, and would tell me if I 
would return. I have just come back from a sec- 
ond call upon him.” 

“ Yes, yes; and he says it is ” 

“ Based on the charge that the countess has 
been conspiring against the life of the Czar from 
this country, and that, though the crime was orig- 
inated a year ago, and abandoned by her in her 
flight, she has renewed it from here recently.” 

Harlowe sank back into his chair, overcome. 

“ This is devilish in its ingenuity.” 

“ The Attorney General says that if you can dis- 
prove these allegations you are safe, but that he 
understands that the proof is very strong.” 

“ It cannot be so; there is no proof — mere alle- 
gation. The countess has done nothing whatever 
that can be tortured into proof.” 

“ Chester! ” 

“Well?” 

“ The countess will be arrested to-morrow 
morning.” 

“ What?” 

He sprang to his feet again. 


3 o 6 AAT AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

That is an outrage.” 

The Attorney General says that it can be made 
to be a constructive arrest. I don't know what 
that means, only that she can remain in the house 
if you will make yourself responsible for her ap- 
pearance when she is wanted.” 

“ Ah!” 

“ If you will go to him to-night quietly he will 
tell you how. He says he ought not to do this, 
though he will because I am so anxious.” 

Harlowe caught his sister’s hands and pressed 
them. 

‘‘ You are very good, Melinda; you have per- 
formed a real service.” 

Then let us go to dinner, and afterward I will 
go with you to the Attorney General’s house.” 


CHAPTER VI. 


THE DIE IS CAST. 

The demand soon became commonly known, 
and divided Washington society into two camps — 
one choosing to accept allegation for conclusive 
proof, and assuming that all that was charged was 
true; the other becoming heated partisans of the 
countess, and denying that so sweet and winsome 
a woman could be involved in such dark deeds as 
were alleged. It did not follow that all of those 
who believed the charge to be true ignored her; 
to some it seemed to increase her charm. There 
were a few — the administrative departments, 
notably the State — who became conspicuous by 
their absence, but the significance of their absence 
was lost when the Secretary of State attended, 
with his family, her second grand dance, invita- 
tions to which had been issued previous to the 
making of the demand. Indeed, the representa- 
tives of foreign powers were present, except, as 
was frequently pointed out, not a Russian was 
there — not even Prince Kroupieve, who had been 
previously so assiduous in his attentions. But 
307 


3 o 8 AJV AMERICAN CA VALIER. 

that was answered by the statement that the 
prince had left town on the day the demand had 
been filed, and had not since returned to the 
capital. 

The ordeal was severe, but the countess did not 
flinch from it. No one ever saw her more gay, 
more gallant in her bearing, nor more unconcerned 
as to the future, than she was in those days. If 
some, presuming on the intimacy she had en- 
couraged, spoke of the pending demand, she 
laughed gayly, saying, while vouchsafing no denial, 
that she supposed that it did give her dear friend 
and counsel much trouble. 

Her ball was voted to be the most brilliant of 
the season, and it was admitted that htv toilette 
surpassed all. It was undoubtedly illogical, but 
from these facts the conclusion was that a lady 
who could conceive and execute so brilliant a ball 
and so brilliant a toilette could not be concerned 
about her extradition, and that therefore she had 
nothing to fear. So, before the day of examina- 
tion arrived opinion had settled into the convic- 
tion that no other result could be had than the 
denial of the demand. 

Mr. Harlowe, however, did not conduct him- 
self as if he were so convinced. He had sent for 
Tom Bentley again, to Flossie’s great satisfaction, 
and the two were busily engaged in the prepara- 
tion of a de^*':nse which should go to the proof of 


the die is Cast. 


309 

the innocence of the countess of the charges pre- 
ferred. 

“ Tom,” said Mr. Harlowe one day at the close 
of their labors, ‘‘ I could dispose of this case in a 
jiffy if I could only set up the motive of the 
demand.” 

” Why can’t you? ” asked Tom. 

“ Simply because I want the justification. 
Kroupieve does not put his head forward any- 
where in the proceedings. But I will get it in for 
effect somewhere, somehow, by hook or by crook. 
He’s a keen fellow. It was to make the statement 
appear incredible that he was the most constant 
attendant at the entertainments of the countess.” 

But the day came for the examination, and with 
it came a great shock and surprise to both the 
countess and her counsel. The countess was in 
attendance; she could not avoid it. Her friends 
filled the room, and they heard for the first time 
that the countess had been found guilty in the 
Russian courts only a few weeks previously of con- 
spiring against the life of the Czar, by being a 
member of, and supporting with funds, a secret 
society whose object was to assassinate the Czar. 
There was a shudder that ran over the fashionable 
people when they heard the charge, and learned 
that it was upon this charge that the demand for 
surrender was made. But it was quieted when Mr. 
Harlowe rose and said with emphasis: 


310 AAT AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

“ We deny each and every allegation.” 

Neither he nor the countess, however, was pre- 
pared for the proof that was offered. It consisted 
largely of the evidence given before the court in 
Russia. A transcript of the finding of the court 
was first oft'ered; then the proof. This set forth the 
existence of the society and its aim; the member- 
ship of the countess; of the members of her family; 
of the overt acts of the society; of its discovery, 
the seizure of some of its members, and the flight 
of others, among whom was the countess; of the 
trial of the countess after her flight to America, 
her notification to appear and defend herself, and 
her refusal; her conviction and her sentence. 
Then Russia’s representative, admitting that so 
much as had been proved did not constitute a basis 
for a demand for surrender, went on to prove that 
since the promulgation of the treaty the countess 
had engaged, by correspondence and messengers, 
in the organization of another society having the 
same purpose, which was wholly supported by 
funds furnished by her; that she had formally and 
in writing accepted membership; and that when, 
by the processes of the ballot, she had been chosen 
to be the instrument of the death of the Czar, she 
had by a cipher letter accepted the fatal assign- 
ment, and announced her return to Russia for that 
purpose. All this offer of proof was supported by 
the testimony of agents brought from Russia for 


7' HE DIE IS Cast. 


3ti' 

the purpose, by reports made to the Third 
Division of the Imperial Police, certified copies of 
which were offered; and finally by what purported 
to be her letters, among which were some genuine 
letters of the countess, which had been seized from 
the few correspondents she had retained. 

The countess and Mr. Harlowe sat aghast at the 
unfolding. In burning indignation he declared 
that he had never heard of or read in the records 
of ancient or modern times such a structure of per- 
jury, forgery, and infamy, and was sharply called 
to order. The countess denied all and everything 
from the stand, under oath; all allegations of affilia- 
tion or identification with the movement — all save 
her letters, which she explained; but it was clear 
that the ingenious manner in which the forged let- 
tei^ were made to fit into those that were genuine, 
and give a false and sinister meaning to them, had 
had their effect, and on the friends of the countess, 
too, who had been her stanchest adherents. 

While Mr. Harlowe strove to offset by proof 
this overwhelming avalanche of fraud, perjury, and 
forgery, he relied mainly upon the contention that 
nothing had been offered that constituted a basis 
for a demand for extradition. His premise was 
thus simply stated: 

“ We deny every allegation here set forth. The 
person under demand has been all her life, and is 
now, as all of the members of her family have been 


3 i ^ A AT A ME RICA M CA VA HER. 

for many generations, a faithful and loyal subject 
of the Czar. But if she were guilty of every one of 
the crimes and ofifenses that have been here falsely 
and perjurously alleged against her, there is yet 
wanting a basis for demand. None of the crimes 
alleged against her as committed prior to the date 
of the treaty serve as such basis. The opposing 
counsel admits that. All of the crimes alleged to 
have been committed since the promulgation of 
the treaty, even if true, were committed not in 
Russia, but here in America. The alleged crimes 
for which she has been convicted in Russia were 
committed, if committed at all, prior to the date 
of the treaty, or here in America, where they were 
not subject to the jurisdiction of the Russian 
court. To determine that the countess is subject 
to a demand for surrender is to impose upon this 
court a determination as to whether a crime has 
been committed in any of the acts alleged, and, if 
committed, they were committed by the countess; 
a proposition taking this court into functions it 
does not possess.” 

Upon these premises Mr. Harlowe builded an 
argument so powerful as to convince his auditors 
apparently. Before he finished he set forth in dra- 
matic and startling form the motive, not even con- 
cealing the name of the person inspiring the perse- 
cution of the lady, and did not fail to set forth the 


THE DIE IS CAST. 


3^3 


fact that a surrender upon the grounds urged was 
the making of a most dangerous precedent. 

The address of Mr. Harlowe won him praise and 
applause, and from no one more sincerely and ear- 
nestly given than from the countess. It was gen- 
erally believed that Mr. Harlowe had won the day. 
When argument was ended the Commissioner de- 
clared that he would take the papers and consider 
the case, first instructing counsel to send up their 
briefs, giving them a week in which to do so. 
Long before the Commissioner reached a decision, 
the case, which had been for several days a sensa- 
tion, ceased to receive mention. 

Indeed, from so many sources and such dis- 
tinguished men did Mr. Harlowe receive the as- 
surances that his argument was unanswerable that 
he was finally lulled, as was the countess also, into 
the belief that the decision must be as he desired 
it to be, to wit: That there existed no grounds 
for a demand for surrender. 

In this belief, having promptly handed up his 
briefs, he returned with increased ardor to his 
scientific experiments and investigations, discov- 
ering a relation between a chemical product and a 
certain emotion he had not before dreamed of. 
He was very happy in these days; and the count- 
ess was more than gracious, calling him, almost 
profanely, her savior. And she gave a dinner party 


314 AMERICAN CAVALIER, 

at which he was the distinguished guest — a party 
which, though it was unannounced, was under- 
stood to be in conspicuous recognition of his serv- 
ices to her, and at the board of which sat the 
most distinguished she could gather. 

What, then, must have been the consternation 
when this peaceful, happy time was rudely broken 
in upon with the announcement that the Commis- 
sioner had found that the evidence submitted con- 
stituted a sufficient ground for a demand for sur- 
render, and that the countess must be yielded up 
to Russia. 

It was no compensation that the decision was 
heartily condemned — that the legal lights stood 
aghast at it. When its terms were examined it 
was found that Mr. Harlowe’s contention for the 
principles involved had received practically no con- 
sideration at all, but that the evidence alone had 
been made the basis of a conclusion. The deci- 
sion was clearly a bid for an appeal to the higher 
courts, where the principles could be considered 
and construed. Indeed, there were rumors imme- 
diately spread that high authorities had interfered 
to that end; that the question might at once be 
carried up and definitely settled. 

Mr. Harlowe hastened to the countess to assure 
her that the battle was not yet lost or won to find 
her, as she had ever been at the periods of their 
reverses, calm and self-contained. 


THE DIE IS CAST. 


315 


My friend/’ she said, laying her hand upon his, 
a favorite gesture when earnest with a friend, 
“ whatever befalls me, there will always be the 
sweet consolation of your devotion and sympathy. 
What more is yet to be done or can be done, that 
I am sure you will do. I am in the hands'of Fate. 
And now I begin to think, so strangely have all 
things conspired to defeat our aims and our efforts, 
that Fate has in store for me a future which can 
only be approached through these disasters. I do 
not despair.” 

Two courses of procedure were open to Mr. 
Harlowe: one, to immediately appeal from the 
decision, and carry the question up to the highest 
court, or to permit the matter to go to the Presi- 
dent on a demand for requisition papers, and then 
to appeal to the President to exercise his discre- 
tion and refuse them. 

All of his instincts as a lawyer impelled him to 
the former of these courses. While he was yet 
meditating upon the matter, a distinguished jurist, 
one famous in international practice, called upon 
him. 

“ Mr. Plarlowe,” he said, “ I have taken the 
liberty of calling upon you and offering unsolicited, 
a suggestion. If my interference is offensive, a 
word will make me withdraw with apologies.” 

Mr. Harlowe having assured him that no offense 
would be taken, he went on: 


3 i 6 A.V AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

'' It relates to this case of extradition in which 
you are engaged. I heard your argument, and 
believe that you stated principles therein which 
should be controlling. The decision made is an 
outrage, not upon the ground on which it is 
generally condemned, but upon the ground that 
the consideration of the principles was shirked — 
shamelessly shirked.” 

“ I have meditated an appeal,” replied Mr. Har- 
lowe, “ but I have feared a similar shirking of the 
vital point by the upper courts and a determina- 
tion upon some lateral or side issue.” 

Just what I feared was in your mind,” replied 
the jurist. “ Your temptation at this point is very 
great. My suggestion is that you appeal. I 
think it is your duty — the duty that you owe to 
the system of jurisprudence in which you are natu- 
rally interested, to the advance of which you are 
bound by your oath. You have a case which is 
peculiarly adapted for exposition, and I believe 
that you can so prepare your case that the prin- 
ciples involved cannot be ignored. These ques- 
tions should be settled, and settled as quickly as 
possible. To you great honor would accrue in 
their statement. It is a duty you owe to the 
country, to yourself, to jurisprudence.” 

“ You Speak of a temptation calculated to di- 
vert me from such a course? ” said Mr. Harlowe 
inquiringly. 


THE DIE IS CAST. 


317 


Yes; I make no doubt that if you were to per- 
mit this matter to go to the President on a de- 
mand for requisition that you could persuade him 
to exercise his discretion in your direction, for 
public sentiment is strongly with you. You 
would doubtless put your client more quickly out 
of her doubt and suspense. That is your tempta- 
tion.” 

“ But suppose the upper courts were to take 
their cue from the lower court and evade the prin- 
ciples, is there not danger of that? ” 

“ I must confess that there is, but as I said 
before, you can prepare your case so that the 
evasion would be difficult. Then, you know, you 
have recourse to the President, even then.” 

'' But would the President, in the face of three 
judicial decisions, care to act in defiance of them, 
or at least, in contradiction?” 

Perhaps not. But let me again call your at- 
tention to the strong case you have, in which the 
presentation of these principles may be made. 
Such another opportunity may not be presented 
for years. Give this matter further thought, and 
with consideration of your high duty in it. If it 
will not be considered oflensive, I will tender my 
services — without fee, please — as an adviser in the 
preparation of this case.” 

The jurist, the most distinguished of his time, 
went his way. To say that Mr. Harlowe was not 


AjV AMERICAN CA VALIER, 


flattered would be to conceal the truth. But 
thoughts of self or of aggrandizement did not re- 
main with him. 

“ This is all very well,” he said to himself. 
‘‘ But what about the interests of my client — my 
duty to her. All this is lost sight of. If I appeal, 
I stand a chance of having a decision based upon 
the evidence and not on the principles involved. 
The courts are not fond of making law. On the 
matter of ‘ commerce between the several States,’ 
the appellate court for years evaded the disputed 
principles, and decided the cases coming before 
them on some lateral issue.” 

He thought a long time. Then rousing him- 
self, he spoke aloud: 

“ He makes no doubt the President would de- 
cide in my favor; that public sentiment is running 
strongly with us. Thank you, Mr. Jurist, you have 
given me valuable advice; I will act upon it. To 
the President this case shall go.” 

He hastened to the writing table and addressed 
a note to his opponent before the Commissioner. 

‘H shall not appeal from the decision of the Com- 
missioner. Take your course.” 

> Summoning a servant, he directed a note to 
be delivered to its address. 

“ The die is cast,” he said. “ I hope I have 
made no mistake.” 


CHAPTER VIL 


IN SUSPENSE. 

The demand on the President for requisition 
papers, the granting of which would enable the 
Russian party to take the countess into custody, 
and transport her a prisoner to Russia, was 
promptly made. As promptly Mr. Harlowe re- 
quested permission to file a statement arguing 
why the President should exercise his discretion 
and refuse the demand. This permission was 
granted and a week given him in which to prepare 
his statement. It was, when completed, a repeti- 
tion of his argument before the Commissioner, 
more force and elaboration being given to the prin- 
ciples, and was handed in before the expiration of 
the allotted time. The other side were given the 
same time in which to answer. Thus two weeks 
elapsed before the President was ready to act. 

In the meantime, in fact immediately after the 
decision of the Commissioner was made. Prince 
Kroupieve returned to town. On his arrival he 
again preferred a request to be received by the 
countess to a personal interview, and this time his 
letter was returned without answer. Notwith- 


319 


320 AN AMERICAN CAVALIER, 

standing this emphatic notification that the count- 
ess desired no further communication with him, 
the prince presented himself at her next weekly 
reception. He was politely informed by Pietro 
that madame did not receive. Inasmuch as people 
were passing in and out, and there was every evi- 
dence that the lady was receiving, the statement 
of Pietro seemed to be a falsehood. But the 
prince accepted the statement as it was intended — 
that the countess would not receive him. So he 
went away without a word. 

But he addressed this note to her, written in the 
Russian language: 

Madame having twice refused my request for 
a personal interview, now denies me her house. 
Even these insults, for such under ordinary circum- 
stances I would take them to be, shall not deter 
me from warning madame that she is in a pre- 
carious — nay, a dangerous position — from which 
she can be extricated by only one person, and that 
person is not only willing, but earnestly desirous to 
perform the services, to exercise the power only 
he possesses, and who cannot put this saving 
power into operation until he has had conference 
with madame, and who, despite the contempt with 
which he is treated, still signs himself madame^s 
faithful servant, 


KroupieveJ 


IM SUSPENSE. 


321 


This note was also returned to the prince with- 
out reply. 

“ Mr. Harlowe must still have hopes of success/’ 
muttered the prince as he tore the rejected letter 
into bits. 

Mr. Harlowe did have hopes, but he was not 
responsible for this act of the countess. The let- 
ter had been returned without his knowledge. 
The countess was reckless and despairing. Every- 
thing rested with the President. Kroupieve could 
only save her, or rather, would only save her, from 
a loss of liberty by putting her into a worse bond- 
age. Of the two she preferred that loss which 
would follow the signing of the requisition papers. 

Mr. Plarlowe’s hopes rose with delay in the 
President’s action. Here again, Dale was of use. 
The President had told him that Mr. Harlowe’s 
paper was a very able one and had raised questions 
that were difficult of disposal. One day Dale 
came to Harlowe — it was three weeks after the 
demand had been made. 

“ Harlowe,” he said, '' your success or failure 
depends on the Attorney General. Everything 
turns on a single point with the President. On 
that point he has asked the Attorney General to 
give him a written opinion. As he decides, the 
President will decide.” 

“And that point is, what?” asked Harlowe 
eagerly. 


322 AJV AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

That I cannot tell you. I went in last night 
to smoke a cigar - with his greatness, and he 
opened up the talk on this subject, telling me prac- 
tically what I have told you. He did not put a 
padlock on my lips, and as he knows I live with 
you, I think I violate no rules in telling you.” 

Mr. Harlowe made a close study of his own 
argument, in an endeavor to determine what that 
point could be, and rose from the effort without a 
conclusion. Very anxious, he sought the Secre- 
tary of State, and came away from the interview 
with a heavy heart and gloomy forebodings. 
While the Secretary skillfully avoided any mention 
of the case which Harlowe had so much at heart, 
he took his friend into his confidence and talked 
much about impending foreign complications, 
little of which was known to the public, and 
which the Secretary was bending all his energies 
to avert. And at the close of it all, in a few short, 
terse sentences, he showed Mr. Harlowe how 
necessary to the States was the favor and friend- 
ship of Russia, and on the maintenance of good 
relations with that empire how much the success 
of measures already in motion depended. 

“ And at such a juncture,” muttered Harlowe 
as he left the Secretary, “ the rights of the indi- 
vidual and the claim of friendship will be sacri- 
ficed without scruple, if necessary to state 
intrigues.” 


IN SUSPENSE. 323 

The more he thought of his talk with the Secre- 
tary afterward the more he was convinced that, in 
an indirect manner, his friend had endeavored to 
prepare him for the worst result. 

It never occurred to him that there was any- 
thing strange in the treatment he was receiving at 
the hands of his friends at this period; that Me- 
linda and Dale, even the Secretary, seemed to 
look upon the failure of his plans as. if it were a 
disaster of moment to himself, and that the count- 
ess was hardly thought of; that it was not his 
defeat as a retained lawyer and attorney, but his 
deep grief and disappointment as a man, that they 
considered. 

One day about this time he overheard Flossie 
say to Tom Bentley: “ Uncle will never get over 
his grief, if the countess is compelled to go back 
to Russia.” This awakened him to a fact — to a 
realization. 

‘‘ It is true,” he said to himself. Fm too much 
interested to labor with a clear head and a clear 
understanding. I will send for Marsters at once. 
I have, in my anxiety, neglected my inoculation — 
have neglected my asafetida.” 

He went out and telegraphed to Mr. Marsters 
to come to him without delay. Though he imme- 
diately began a system of inoculation, he devoted 
all the means his ingenuity could devise to delay 
the opinion of the Attorney General, until his part- 


3^4 AAT AMERICAN’ CA VALIER. 

ner could arrive. Marsters promptly answered 
that he would start at once. 

The days intervening were sad, anxious, and 
full of suspense. Although he had approached 
through various ways the Attorney General, he 
could not tell what effect his influences had had — 
there were no assurances of delay given. So he 
rose every morning after a troubled night, sick 
with fear and apprehension, lest since last he was 
upon observation, the opinion had been handed in. 

Several days went on in this manner. Mr. 
Marsters was speeding home, as fast as the means 
of transportation permitted, cheering Mr. Har- 
lowe with telegrams as each stage was accom- 
plished. 

The most difficult of all duties to perform was 
that of keeping up the courage of the countess. 
To appear before her, confident as to results, when 
he was so despondent, was all Mr. Harlowe could 
do; yet he made a brave effort, and afterward, and 
in happier times, he used to say no artist of the 
stage had achieved greater or more sustained act- 
ing than he had in those days. He had been 
spending the evening with the countess, at the 
time he expected his partner to arrive on the fol- 
lowing day. The great ball of the season, that of 
the British Ambassador, was to occur on the fol- 
lowing night. He had found the countess in a 
hopeless frame of mind, disinclined to be present at 


IN SUSPENSE. 


3^5 


this function, and had only brought her out of her 
mood and to a promise to attend the brilliant 
event, with great effort, and a pledge on his own 
part to be present with his family. Somewhat 
exhausted by his efforts to maintain a forced 
gayety, he had retired to his bed on reaching his 
apartments. 

To him, when he was in bed, came Dale. 

‘‘ Chester,” he said, I have learned something 
within the last half hour which you should know.” 

The President hasn’t signed the requisition 
papers? ” he said inquiringly, sitting up. 

Not so bad as that,” replied Dale, but the 
Attorney General has finished the writing of his 
opinion.” 

'' What is it? ” 

I did not inquire. It would have been of no 
use. And had I done so, it would have broken a 
friendship which has been of great value.” 

When will it be handed in? ” 

That I could ask. Certainly not until day 
after to-morrow, if then. My informant — you can 
guess who — says that it Was only completed to- 
night, and will be given to the typewriter to^ 
morrow morning. To typewrite it will take at 
least all day, as it is very long, and then, in all 
probability, the Attorney General will give it, 
according to his custom, a thorough revision, 
probably necessitating another typewritten copy.” 


326 an AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

The end then is here/’ said Mr. Harlowe nerv- 
ously, '' and Marsters will arrive only to be in at 
the death.” 

There was no more sleep for him that night. 
He sat over the fire in his pajamas, silent, despond- 
ent, full of forebodings, trying to project his own 
future, until the rising of the sun told him it was 
time to prepare for the last assault. 


CHAPTER VIII. 


AN AMBASSADORIAL BALL. 

The ball of the British Ambassador, . cards for 
which there had been much pressure and diplomacy 
exercised, had been long anticipated. It was ex- 
pected to be the last grand event of the season, 
and many who had spent the winter in struggles 
for social position felt that they would be crowned 
with success or marked with failure, as they were 
present or absent from the affair. 

The Countess Naletoff did not know, nor per- 
haps would have cared, had she known, except as 
her attendance furthered the plans of her counsel, 
that whether or notdier card should be sent had 
been made the subject of diplomatic conference. 
However, when the matter was delicately broached, 
both the Russian Embassy and the State depart- 
ment saw no reason why the peculiar position the 
countess occupied should as yet operate to her 
social ban. And the Secretary emphasized his 
position by asking for cards for Mr. Harlowe and 
his family, which, it may be remarked in passing, 
included Arthur Melchor; Melinda having re- 
turned to the prosecution of her favorite plan, 
327 


^2 8 yiJV AxMERlCAN CAVALIER. 

and brought Melchor on again as an offset to the 
presence of Bentley. 

Mr. Harlowe was in a condition of nervous ex- 
citement and agitation over the impending culmi- 
nation of his long battle, almost pitiable to behold. 
He had, early on the morning of the day on which 
this diplomatic ball was to be held, confirmed the 
truth of Dale’s communication of the night pre- 
vious, through his own sources of information, and 
had become convinced that at least two days 
would intervene before the decision was trans- 
mitted to the President. Mr. Marsters was an old 
friend of the Attorney General, and he felt that, 
even if Marsters were to arrive only twelve hours 
before the transmission, very much could be accom- 
plished, in first discovering what that decision was, 
and if against them, then by the presentation of 
an opposing argument. 

If he had been anxious to have the countess 
attend this ball, he was doubly so, now that he 
knew that the culminating event was so near at 
hand, and especially because he had learned that, 
contrary to custom, the President would attend 
the ball. The President and the countess had 
never met at a time when their intercourse could 
be anything but fleeting. Here he hoped to bring 
her under the especial notice of that high digni- 
tary, who, if not a squire of dames, at least was 
not insensible to female charms. And, in Mr. 


A AT AMBASSADORIAL BALL. 329 

Harlowe’s opinion, no woman was so charming as 
the countess. 

I am to conduct a campaign to-night,’' he said 
to Dale when they were preparing for the great 
event. “ I hope you will put yourself at my dis- 
posal, for I can make great use of you.” 

It might be supposed that Mr. Harlowe would 
be gloomily preoccupied with the thoughts of the 
stake for which he was playing, but, upon the con- 
trary, his nervous excitement operated to give 
him the semblance of that gay vivacity which was 
his superficial characteristic. It was in this mood, 
gay and excited, that he went off to attend the 
countess to the British Residence, leaving* Dale to 
escort Melinda and Flossie. 

In the cloakroom Dale met the Secretary of 
State, and found his use almost immediately. 
Together they sauntered toward the ballroom. 
On their way they were seen by Rodion Michaelo- 
vitch, whom the prince had put on duty there 
when he found that the countess would be pres- 
ent, and who, unobserved, followed them. To 
Rodion there was something highly significant 
in the fact that the head of the Foreign Depart- 
ment was arm in arm with the brother-in-law of 
the counsel of the Countess Naletoff. But Dale 
was merely telling a humorous story, over which 
the Secretary of State was much amused. As they 
reached the ante-room where Dale was to wait for 


33 ^ AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 

Melinda and Flossie, Mr. Williams stopped, 
saying: 

“ That’s a good one, Dale — an excellent story. 
I must remember it, to repeat it myself as Dale’s 
last. But how is it with you and my good friend 
Harlowe now? ” 

Dale, slightly confused, for he knew to what the 
Secretary was referring, hesitated a moment, and 
then, with an effort at lightness of manner, asked: 

“You refer, Mr. Secretary, to that — ah, well — 
little mistake in the treaty matter? ” 

“ I heard that Mr. Harlowe was very angry,” 
said Mr. Williams, entertained by Dale’s manner. 

“ Angry? ” repeated Dale. “ He was a cyclone. 
It was an awful blunder, wasn’t it? Oh, well! I’m 
restored to favor.” 

“ Poor Harlowe! ” laughed the Secretary. “ It 
was bad. Could he have made his point, he would 
have delayed the treaty. But you ” 

Fie burst into hearty laughter, and added: 

“ He really thought you had asked for the Chief 
Justiceship. Well, after all, you didn’t come off 
so badly. It made you a civil magistrate. We 
shall have to call you judge now.” 

Dale made a comical gesture of protest. 

“ Please don’t! ” 

“ No?” said the Secretary. “The honor, then, 
is sufficient? Well ” 

He stopped short, looked significantly at Dale, 


AJ\r AMBASSADORIAL BALL, 33 1 

and then spoke most impressively, measuring each 
word : 

“ Those who oppose the extradition of Countess 
Naletoff have no time to lose.” 

Dale looked up quickly and sharply in an en- 
deavor to penetrate the meaning of the Secretary. 
Mr. Williams immediately changed his tone, with 
a laugh: 

“ So you have determined to retire permanently 
from diplomacy? ” 

“ I do not shine in it,” replied Dale. “ I have 
never cultivated the art of verbal prestidigita- 
tion.” 

The Secretary, laughing heartily, moved off 
toward the ballroom, with the remark: 

“ Dale, you are incorrigible. Verbal prestidigi- 
tation! That is good!” 

“ I presume he meant something by that re- 
mark,” said Dale to himself. “ Hum! Why 
couldn't he have said it plainly, then? ” 

Rodion entered the room unobserved by Dale, 
who summed up his thoughts aloud: 

“ When a man becomes great he is afflicted with 
a parsimonious regard for words. Rule for great- 
ness in America: cultivate a dignified demeanor 
and a poverty of tongue. But Til find Harlowe 
and tell him.” 

^^Ah! my good friend Dale!” exclaimed Ro- 
dion, obtruding himself. 


332 aAT AMERICAN- CAVALIER: 

Dale recognized him with a start, wondering 
what the spy did there. 

“ My friend Dale does enjoy the felicity of 
amusing the great men,” said Rodion gayly. 

“ A felicity,” answered Dale with a trace of bit- 
terness in his tone, “ I enjoy in common with the 
clown in the circus.” 

‘‘ The distinguished man did laugh with much 
heartiness at your witticisms,” persisted Rodion, 
bent on persuading Dale into a conversation. 
“ Come! Repeat the conversation, that I may 
laugh, too.” 

” Impossible, my dear Rodion. The Secretary 
made a confidential communication.” And he 
muttered under his breath: At least, I can 

worry the Russian, if nothing more.” 

The entrance of Flossie prevented Rodion from 
prosecuting his search for information. 

I have been looking everywhere for you.” 

Rodion went off muttering: 

“ The Dale is cautious, but I will inform the 
prince.” 

I left Aunt Melinda gossiping with some old 
crony in the dressing room, and even went into 
the ballroom alone, looking for you.” 

“What is it?” asked her father. “A partner 
for a dance? ” 

“ Partners, indeed ! I was only in the ballroom 
a few moments, and look! ” 


AJ\r AMBASSADORIAL BALL. 


333 


She held up her dancing card. Dale took it 
from her, reading it : 

“ Full to overflowing,” he said. '' Bentley, Vi- 
gnaux, Bentley, Gordon, Bentley — hum! — Bent- 
ley, Bentley, Bent — Flossie, it occurs to me that 
Mr. Bentley is a frequent sort of a young man 
here.” 

“ Now, don’t be poky, dad,” cried Flossie, 
snatching the card from her father. '' Aunt Me- 
linda can do all that for the family--and that’s 
what I want you for. She says that Arty — Mel- 
chor, you know — has come to Washington just 
because of me, and that I must show him at- 
tention.” 

“ You must? ” queried Dale. 

“ And he follows me about like a leech.” 

That is; a very remarkable fact in natural his- 
tory — a leech follows a person.” 

“Oh, well!” impatiently cried Flossie, “sticks 
like one, then. Won’t you rid me of him? ” 

“ I might murder him,” said Dale thoughtfully. 
“ There are some objections, however. It is 
against the law, and I am a magistrate.” 

“ Oh, dad ! ” pleaded Flossie, “ do be serious, 
because, you know, this is important. There’s 
Tom, you know; this — he’s here ” 

“ Yes, I know — here, there, everywhere. Tom’s 
a very ubiquitous young man. I’m jealous of Tom, 
and 


334 


Ai\r AMEJ^ICAN- CA VALIEE. 


“ Get uncle to inoculate you,” broke in Flossie. 
‘'He has a remedy for jealousy — cocaine. But, 
seriously, you know — Tom is going home soon, 
and Aunt Melinda won’t let him come to our 
house; and — well, don’t you see — because — oh, 
how can you be so mean? You’re the only one 
I’ve got to help me, and you’re just stuffy to-night 
—there!” 

“ Flossie,” said Dale, taking her hands, “ I’ll be 
neither poky nor stuffy. I’ll shunt Melchor off 
the track.” 

“ Oh, will you? ” she cried, delighted. “ What 
a dear, delightful dad you are! ” 

The strains of the orchestra floated in from the 
dancing hall, and Flossie whirled about the room 
in response to them in a graceful dance, with 
features not usually observed in a private ball- 
room. For a time Dale observed the graceful 
motions of his daughter, and then, catching the 
spirit, joined in. Melinda, followed by Melchor, 
entered to find them thus engaged, to her horrified 
astonishment. 

“ Flossie! James Dale! ” she cried in disgust. 

Father and daughter ended their dance with 
sudden abruptness. 

“ I’m astonished,” said Melinda in her most 
stately and severe manner. “ No, I’m humiliated. 
Arthur, take Flossie, and don’t lose her again.” 

“ Mother says I must not be too anxious,” re- 


AN AMBASSADORIAL BALL. 33S 

plied the vacuous youth. But if you say I must, 
I will.’’ 

He offered his arm to Flossie, saying to her: 

“ There are not many persons in the conserva- 
tory. I can’t lose you there.” 

Flossie took his arm with a hopeless air of resig- 
nation, and together they went into the con- 
servatory. 

“ James Dale,” said Melinda to him, you are 
incorrigible.” 

“ That’s very singular,” returned Dale. “ Do 
you know that the Secretary of State holds the 
same opinion? ” 

“ Give me your arm and take me into the ball- 
room,” said Melinda; and, as he did so, asked: 
“Will you never learn sense, James? Suppose 
someone had seen you dancing? ” 

“ Well,” replied Dale, “ isn’t that what we came 
here for? ” 

They entered the ballroom watched by Tom 
Bentley, who had approached by another door. 

“ That cat,” said Tom, “ with the ingenuity of 
the devil or Kroupieve, keeps Flossie out of my 
reach. In the meantime, I must watch for Mars- 
ters; Harlowe is as wild for him to come as I am 
to find Flossie.” 

He passed out of another door in time to escape 
Mr. Harlowe, who came from the ballroom, 
whither he had taken the countess. 


33 ^ AN AMERICAN CAP’ALIER. 

What can keep Marsters? ” he exclaimed. 
'' He ought to have been here now — half an hour 
ago. Great chances are being lost.^’ 

At the moment Mr. Marsters entered. 

“Oh, John!” cried Mr. Harlowe, rushing to 
him, “ you are here at last. I thought you would 
never come.” 

“ My train was an hour late. So the countess 
is under demand of extradition? ” 

“Yes; and it is because of her that I want you 
so badly. You got my statement of the case as it 
stands? ” 

“Yes, and have read it carefully — understand 
it all. That is a veiw strong paper of yours, Har- 
lowe — the one you filed with the President — very 
strong.” 

“ Not strong enough, I fear.” 

“ Why — has the President acted? ” 

“ No; as I told you, the President has referred 
the matter — rather a single point — to the Attor- 
ney General for an opinion. Everything depends 
on that decision; and that is written, and may be 
handed in to-morrow.” 

“ Ah! Is it as close as that? You should have 
sent for me before.” 

“Yes; that is just what I ought to have done. 
But it is not yet too late to do something. The 
Attorney General is here, or will be here soon. 
You know him intimately — he is your warm friend. 


AJV AMBASS.IDORIAL BALL. 


337 


I must know what this point is, and what his de- 
cision is. Throw yourself in his way; engage him 
in conversation on it — push it at him. Listen to 
what he says; and if he is against it, combat him 
and unsettle him so that he will hold back until 
we can get at him in a strong way. Here’s my 
brief on all the points raised. Take it with you 
and go into the library, where you can look it over 
alone.” 

He handed the papers to Marsters, fairly push- 
ing him away. 

'' Rather a short time to get up an argument on 
so important a matter! ” 

“ Short or long, it must be! ” cried Harlowe as 
Mr. Marsters disappeared. Now, that that is in 
motion, I must find the countess. She has work 
to do to-night.” 

He hurried into the ballroom. 


CHAPTER IX. 


DOUBTS, FEARS, AND PLOTS. 

Released from his duty of watching for Mr. 
Marsters, Tom Bentley began a search for Flossie. 
He had looked in every room, but it had not oc- 
curred to him that she was in the conservatory, 
imprisoned with x^rthur Melchor. In his search 
he entered the ante-room in time to see Flossie 
reappear on the arm of Melchor. 

“ Ah! ” exclaimed Tom. “ She’s been with that 
Melchor baby. How bored she looks! ” 

“ It is very stupid in that conservatory,” said 
Flossie to Melchor, not perceiving Tom. 

Melchor was possessed with an idea. 

“ Mother says that no place is stupid when 
people love,” he said, not appreciating that if his 
mother’s aphorism was true, he had proof in her 
remark that Flossie did not love him. 

“ What does she say when people hate? ” vi- 
ciously snapped his companion. 

Before he could reply, Tom advanced to her 
rescue. 

“ Good-evening, Miss Dale,’^ he said. Mr. 
Melchor, Miss Harlowe has been inquiring for 
you.” 

338 


DOUBTS, FEATS, AND PLOTS, 339 

Ya-as — I’ve seen her.” 

But not since I have,” urged Tom. “She is 
very anxious.” 

“ Is that so? ” asked Melchor, manifesting as 
near an approach to curiosity as was possible for 
him. “ Where did she go? ” 

“ In that direction,” replied Tom, pointing un- 
blushingly in a direction away from the ballroom. 
“ You certainly should find her.” 

“ But she said I was not to lose Flossie again.” 

“ I presume Miss Dale will await your return 
here,” replied Tom indifferently. 

“Oh, of course!” acquiesced Flossie. “Cer- 
tainly! ” 

“ Sa-ay! You watch her. Don’t you lose her.” 

And he went off in the direction indicated. 

Prince Kroupieve, followed by Rodion, came 
into the room hurriedly. 

“ There is the prince,” said Tom to Flossie. 
“ He evidently wants the room, and it would be 
impolite to deprive him of it. Come! ” 

He led her into the ballroom, Flossie receiving 
a polite bow of recognition from the prince as she 
passed him. 

“What is this you tell me?” asked Kroupieve. 

“ I did see the Secretary of State, Mr. Williams, 
send a message by Dale. It was a warning, and I 
did hear the Dale mutter he would tell Harlowe.” 

“Ha!” muttered the prince. “The Attorney 


3|0 AJV AMERICAN CA VALIER. 

General is to give an opinion. Ha! Can it be of 
that? And the countess is here — a distinguished 
figure. Ah, ha! The Harlowe does manage well. 
He is a foeman to be respected.” 

He lost himself in thought for a moment. 

'‘Ah!” he said suddenly. “The sister of Har- 
lowe! She is jealous of the countess. I will carry 
the war into Afric. Ha, Rodion! Find me some- 
one to present me to Miss Harlowe.” 

“ It is easy to do,” said Rodion, as he went off 
to obey the command of the prince. 

“ The contest draws to a close,” said Kroupieve 
aloud. “ A few days and I triumph, or for the first 
time Prince Alexis Kroupieve fails in an under- 
taking.” 

Melchor had come back from his fruitless search 
for Miss Harlowe. 

“ I can’t find Miss Harlowe,” he exclaimed, 
thinking the prince to be Tom. He discovered 
his mistake in a moment, and looked for Flossie; 
she was not there. 

“ Why,” he said in mild surprise, “ Flossie’s 
gone. She’s got lost again. Sa-ay,” addressing 
the prince, “ did you see where that young lady 
who was here went to? ” 

“ No, no! ” replied the prince shortly, engrossed 
in his own affairs. 

“ Are you a waiter? ” asked Melchor. 

“ Me? ” 


DOUBTS, TESTS, AND PLOTS. 341 

The prince turned haughtily to Arthur, and saw 
a young man upon whose face there was no ex- 
pression of any kind by which to judge whether or 
not the question had been asked as an insult. 

What, sir,” he asked after a moment of severe 
scrutiny — “ what, sir, justifies in supposing me 
to be a waiter? ” 

“Ha-ay!” languidly replied Arthur, summon- 
ing with great deliberation enough energy to give 
a reason. “ You’re one of those foreign fellows. 
If you are, I wish you’d find her. She’s got lost.” 

“Idiot!” was the prince’s characterization, as 
correct as terse, turning from him to meet the 
dancing eyes of Dale, who had come in time to 
hear the brief colloquy. 

“ Mr. Dale,” drawled Arthur, “ have you seen 
Flossie? ” 

“Yes; in the ballroom with Mr. Bentley.” 

“ I’ll find her,” said Arthur in a tone which im- 
plied that he was conferring a favor on someone. 

The prince watched him as he left the room, 
and then asked Dale who his friend was. 

“ An animal classified as an ass and labeled 
a fool.” 

Kroupieve laughed. 

“ I agree with you,” he said. '' His discrimina- 
tion is so keen. He judged me to be a waiter.” 

Then, thrusting his arm under that of Dale, he 
added : 


34 ^ AN AMEkICAN CA VALIEk, 

“ My friend, present me to the sister of Mr. 
liarlowe.” 

‘‘To Melinda!” exclaimed Dale, genuinely as- 
tonished. “ Great Heavens, but here is a capture! 
Prince, it is only the rash who are brave.” 

” You are facetious,” said Kroupieve. I ad- 
mire the lady.” 

“ So do I — a long way off. But come along, 
ril balk no chances of Melinda.” 

” Your merriment shall not deter me,” answered 
the prince. 

Laughing together, they went in search of Me- 
linda. As they crossed the floor of the ballroom, 
they met the countess on the arm of Mr. Harlowe. 
For an instant the prince stopped as if he would 
address the lady. She, however, had perceived 
their approach first, and her attention was en- 
gaged in another part of the room so ostenta- 
tiously that the prince, fearing to risk a decided 
cut in a crowded ballroom, passed on with a bow. 

“ The prince would have spoken to you,” said 
Mr. Harlowe, “ had you given him the op- 
portunity.” 

“ Yes,” replied the countess, and I wonder at 
his audacity. I have returned two of his letters 
and denied him my door.” 

It was the first that Mr. Harlowe had heard of 
these acts, and he marveled at the courage of a 
woman who might in twenty-four hours be at the 


DOUBTS, FEARS, AND PLOTS. 343 

mercy of the man she had treated with such 
contempt. 

“ Where do you lead me? ’’ she asked. 

“ To some place where we can converse alone, 
without the sight and hearing of the multitude. 
1 have an important matter on which I must 
speak.” 

A circuit of the adjoining apartments found 
none better suited to his purpose than the one 
Dale and the prince had just left. Taking posses- 
sion, Mr. Harlowe somewhat importantly brought 
forward two chairs, saying as he did so: 

“ My dear countess, I need your assistance 
badly. You are a very charming woman.” 

There was more in the tone and manner than in 
the words that caused the countess to look up 
quickly and apprehensively. He was so formal, so 
filled with his purpose, and withal, so deferential 
and gallant. 

Is this to be a declaration? ” she asked under 
her breath and much disturbed — perhaps as much 
over the idea of the place, as of the fact. Her agi- 
tation was discoverable in her voice when she 
spoke: 

“ My dear Mr. Harlowe,” she began to protest, 

my ” 

“ A very charming woman! ” he repeated, as he 
placed the chairs with a bow. 

■ My respect for you is so great that ” 


344 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


She stopped, not knowing how to complete the 
sentence, and Mr. Harlowe, catching the tender 
tone of her voice, realized how she had taken his 
address, and was embarrassed by it. 

“Ah!” he hastened to interrupt. “ Fm not 
foolishly complimenting — that is — it is not trivial 
gallantry ” 

He stopped. Fie knew he was floundering into 
the use of words that conveyed the opposite of his 
meaning, and while confusing himself he was con- 
fusing her. 

“ It is a compliment which becomes greater as 
it becomes unique.” 

Her words had taken the courtly form to which 
her tongue was accustomed, but she too was 
aware that she had conveyed a sense she did not 
intend. 

In his embarrassment he floundered on. 

“ I want to make a purely legal point,” he said. 
“ That’s not it — of course I believe it — I am sin- 
cere — but — well just now, I want to premise a fact. 
You are a very charming woman, with so fascinat- 
ing a manner as to be irresistible.” 

She understood him now, and as well realized 
that the confusion and embarrassment into which 
he had been precipitated was because she had pre- 
sumed hastily to suppose he was leading up to a 
declaration of his affection. She could have bitten 


DOUBTS, FEATS, AND PLOTS. 345 

her tongue out for her maladroitness, but she was 
steadied by her realization. 

My counsel,” she said, sweetly yet with dig- 
nity, “ does mix much flattery with his business.” 

‘‘No, no, no!” hastily protesting. “A plain 
statement of fact. Ah! That isn’t what I mean. 
Yes it is. I mean ” 

He took sudden possession of himself. 

“ Madame, it is the truth, whatever my purpose 
in stating it.” 

His recovery of his self-possession put her com- 
pletely at ease. 

“ Whatever his purpose, Mr. Harlowe holds of 
a very unworthy person most flattering opinions.” 

And with a profound and sweeping courtesy, 
she seated herself. 

“ She is irresistible,” he said, highly pleased. 
“ But I must protect myself.” 

“ Pardon,” he begged aloud, and turning his 
back, took his syringe from his pocket and injected 
a drug into his hand. 

His act was not unobserved by the lady. She 
said to herself gravely and kindly: 

“ How is it that so great and so noble a man 
can be so eccentric! ” 

He now turned to the lady with an air of great 
courtliness. 

“ Please permit me to state my proposition,” he 


346 AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 

began. '' You are a very charming woman, of 
fascinating manner, quick mind, and alert tact. . I 
am anxious that you meet the Attorney General 
and the Secretary of State. Upon them I wish you 
to exert all your fascinations. Be as lovely as you 
always are to me — ahem — to everybody — as irre- 
sistible — charm them. Our case is to be con- 
sidered by them shortly, if it is not already under 
consideration. To their judgment I want them to 
come with agreeable recollections of yourself. No 
man is proof against the flattery of the interest of 
a beautiful woman in himself. I have asked Dale 
to pre^nt you, as it is better for him to do so than 
for me. He will find — ah! He is here now.” 

To Dale, who evidently had followed after them 
as soon as he had discharged the mission requested 
by the prince, he said : 

Now, Dale, take the countess into the ball- 
room. Do not fail to present both the Attorney 
General and the Secretary of State.” 

Dale laughed as he said: 

“ The impartiality I maintain in this affair is 
not to be impeached. I have just introduced 
Prince Kroupieve to MHinda.” 

'' To Melinda? ” cried Mr. Harlowe. “ Now 
what prank is this? ” 

'' No prank,” said Dale. '' He asked me for an 
introduction.” 

Mr. Harlowe was intensely amused. 


DOUBTS, FEARS, AND PLOTS. 347 

Melinda has brought down rare game.” 

“ Be not deceived! ” earnestly urged the count- 
ess. “ No gallantry inspires the prince. Pur- 
pose, deep purpose! He has something to learn — 
something to gain.” 

Mr. Harlowe suddenly became serious. 

“ This evening, here, the Secretary of State 
said to me,” said Dale very significantly, “ that 
those who oppose the extradition of the countess 
had no time to lose.” 

“ A warning; a warning!” cried Mr. Harlowe, 
unmistakably alarmed and agitated. “ It is Wil- 
liams’ way of sending it. All the more need for 
action. Now, like good children, do as I tell you. 
Countess, do not let Dale fail. Now go.” 

He urged them away into the ballroom ex- 
citedly. Dale offered his arm to the countess, and 
as she accepted she said to Mr. Harlowe: 

''You alarm me; but 1 obey trustingly.” 

Mr. Harlowe stood looking after them. When 
he was alone he said aloud: 

" If I only could believe that she saw in me — 
pshaw! Why cry after the moon! ” 

He dismissed his partly expressed thought with 
an impatient gesture. 

" No man,” he said — " I defy all — could be 
in daily association with that glorious woman with- 
out becoming enamored of her. Yet here am I, 
bidding her to be as fascinating to other men as 


348 


A AT AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


she can be. Why am I so superior to those 
charms? Why? ” 

He took from his pocket a vial and a syringe, 
looking from one to the other. 

'' Inoculation! Asafetida! 


CHAPTER X. 


MOMENTOUS EVENTS. 

The room to which Mr. Harlowe had taken the 
countess for an uninterrupted conference was less 
frequented, if not almost avoided by the guests and 
dancers, than any of the others opened to them. 
It, therefore, well served the purpose of Mr. Har- 
lowe, as a basis of his operations — his campaign, as 
he had called it to Dale. And now, having dis- 
patched Mr. Marsters on one mission, and the 
countess upon another, while awaiting the result 
of his intrigues, he turned to a consideration of 
that idea which absorbed most of his leisure hours. 

With the remark, made to himself, that he 
feared that he had mixed his vials, he took from his 
pockets a number of small bottles, placing them 
on a table in a corner, which was a writing table 
since there were on it writing materials. The 
suspense he was under, with its consequent nerv- 
ous excitement, made it necessary that he should 
occupy his mind with something; he could not 
calmly sit down and await developments. He 
turned to the first thing in his mind, and that natu- 
rally was his fad; with equal avidity he would have 
seized upon anything else that had presented itself. 


349 


350 . AN AMERICAN CAVALIER, 

It was characteristic of the man that action and 
occupation were needed to relieve or mitigate the 
tension he was under. 

He was busy with his vials when Flossie, hunt- 
ing for him, came running in. 

“ Oh, uncle! ” she cried, but when she saw the 
hasty movement with which Mr. Harlowe endeav- 
ored to conceal his vials, she asked : 

“ Why, what are you doing with all those little 
bottles? ” 

Reassured, on finding that it was Flossie who 
interrupted him, he desisted from further attempt 
at concealment. 

“ Help me, Flossie,” he said. '' A great deal de- 
pends upon to-night, and Fve come prepared for 
any emergency.” 

He took up a vial, reading the label and putting 
it in the right-hand pocket of his trousers: 

” Cocaine,” he said. “ I’ll put that here. Give 
me the others and read the labels as you do.” 

Flossie picked up a vial: 

“ Asafetida! ” she read from the label. “ Ugh! 
The nasty stuff! ” 

Mr. Harlowe put the vial in the left-hand pocket 
of his vest. 

“ Here,” he said. “ Right over the heart. 
That is the proper juxtaposition, since it kills love. 
But, Flossie, science has demonstrated that love 
doesn’t dwell in the heart.” 


MOMEN TO US E YEN TS. 351 

Though Flossie had sought her uncle with a dis- 
tinct purpose in view, which was delayed by the 
service he required of her, she was interested at 
once. 

“ But why try to kill love? ” she asked. “ It is 
very nice. Codeia ! ” she read, handing another 
vial to her uncle. 

‘‘ Yes,” he said, stowing it away in the right- 
hand pocket of his vest, “ you’re just young 
enough to think so. But there are times when 
its suppression is most necessary.” 

‘‘ Bromide of potassium,” read Flossie, handing 
him another. 

'‘Yes, yes! ” said he, placing it in the lower 
pocket of his vest on the right hand. “To encour- 
age and suppress love at the right times — ah! that 
is to master yourself.” 

Flossie handed him another vial. 

“ Quinine! ” she read, and added. “ When you 
really love, you don’t want to suppress it.” 

Mr. Harlowe put the vial in the right-hand 
pocket of his trousers, as he replied: 

That is usually the time when you ought, 
and,” he muttered, “ what I have been compelled 
to do.” 

“Morphine!” read Flossie. 

“Ah!” continued Mr. Harlowe, putting it in 
the right-hand pocket of the tail of his coaT 

But you know nothing of love/’ 


352 AN- AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

Flossie tossed her head, as if to say “ Much you 
know about that,” handing her uncle another vial 
and reading: 

‘‘ Blue vitriol.” 

This Mr. Harlowe placed in the other pocket of 
the tail of his coat, and said : 

‘‘ Now give me the syringe. I’ll put that in my 
right-hand vest pocket.” 

Receiving it, he drew a chair to the table and 
sat down in it. 

“ I must make a list of the locations of these 
drugs,” he said, preparing to write, “ to fix them 
in my mind. They are great things to have at 
hand in momentous affairs.” 

Her father and Tom Bentley stole in quietly at 
their back. Flossie saw them and exchanged sig- 
nals with them. 

“Uncle!” she said, stealing an arm coaxingly 
about the shoulders of Mr. Harlowe, now absorbed 
in his work. 

“ Yes,” he replied, and apparently expressing a 
thought: “It is time that Marsters came to tell 
me how he has succeeded.” 

“ I want to ask you something,” said Flossie 
coaxingly, caressing his hair. 

“ Ask away, Flossie,” said he without suspend- 
ing his writing. “ He must have seen the Attor- 
ney General by this time.” 

“ Who — dad ? ” asked Flossie, surprised. 


MOMENTOUS EVENTS. 


353 


“ No, Marsters.” 

“ Oh,’^ exclaimed Flossie. I want to tell you 
that dad promised to do something for me — and — 
and ” 

“ Well, well, go on, go on — right-hand vest.” 

'' You won’t be angry with him if he does, will 
you?” This very coaxingly. 

Mr. Harlowe looked up from his writing into her 
face. It was covered with blushes. 

Now, you little witch,” he said, “ what are you 
driving at?” ^ 

“ Will you promise me not to be angry with 
him? ” she persisted. 

Harlowe was alarmed, he turned in his chair full 
upon her. 

'' He hasn’t been blundering in this affair 
again? ” he asked anxiously. 

“ Bother this affair — no! ” exclaimed Flossie. 

“What has he been doing, then?” queried Mr. 
Harlowe, much relieved. 

“ He hasn’t been doing anything,” she replied, 
struck with sudden shyness. “ It’s me.” 

“ You?” 

“ That’s what it’s all about. Dad promised to 
talk to you, if you wouldn’t be angry.” 

“ And you want dad to come to me about some- 
thing you have been doing, and I am not to be 
angry? ” 

Flossie nodded her head eagerly. 


3S4 


AI^ AMEktCAN CAVALIER. 


“ Of course I won’t be angry; but why don^t 
you speak yourself? ” 

“Oh, I can’t! I’m ashamed,” and she danced 
off to where Dale and Bentley were standing, much 
interested. 

“ The wheedling little minx! ” laughed Mr. Har- 
lowe as he returned to his writing. 

Urged by Flossie, Dale went to Mr. Harlowe. 

“ Chester,” he said, “ Flossie has enlisted me in 
an enterprise.” 

“ So she says,” returned Mr. Harlowe, still in- 
tent on his writing. 

“ She wants you to listen to Bentley and not be 
angry.” 

Harlowe dropped his pen and turned upon Dale 
irritably: 

“ Do you all think that I am a powder cask, 
ready to explode on the slightest provocation? 
Bless me! this diplomatic atmosphere breeds con- 
tagion. Everybody proceeds by indirection.” 

“ It is absurd, to be sure,” replied Dale. “ But 
Bentley wants to say something to you, and I am 
put forward to insure him a courteous hearing.” 

“ Oh, I’m the very pink of courtesy,” said 
Harlowe satirically. “ But must he talk to- 
night?” 

“ He must talk to-night or the heavens will fall.” 

“ Anything about the countess — this extradi- 
tion? ” asked Harlowe nervously. 


MOMENTOUS £ TENTS. 


355 


“ Oh! ’’ said Dale mockingly. “ Something far 
more important.” 

Dale’s tone relieved Mr. Harlowe, and he turned 
to his writing again, saying: 

“ Precipitate him, then.” 

Dale laughingly turned to Bentley and beck- 
oned to him. Reluctantly the young man came 
forward, meeting Dale in the middle of the room. 
Here Dale whispered to him, and, pushing him 
forward toward Mr. Harlowe, went to Flossie, 
who, at the door, where she was afforded a speedy 
escape, stood watching the proceedings with nerv- 
ous eagerness. 

“ Mr. Harlowe! ” said Tom timidly. 

“ Hullo, Tom! ” said Mr. Harlowe; and then 
exclaimed: ‘'Confound it! I do wish Marsters 
would come and relieve my anxiety.” 

“ I have a matter of some importance to sub- 
mit — that is to me,”, began Tom in much em- 
barrassment. 

“ Fire away, my boy! ” and he added to himself: 
“ I would like to know if the Attorney General 
has talked at all on the decision.” 

“ I have spoken to Flossie — and — she — well, 
she referred me to you.” 

This was so unexpected that Mr. Harlowe was 
startled, and in his surprise he turned full upon 
Tom and asked sharply: 

“ What’s that?” 


35 ^ 


AJV AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


His tone, unintentional, had the effect of brac- 
ing Tom up, and he blurted out: 

Fve asked Flossie to marry me/^ 

Flossie, with a suppressed scream, fled through 
the door, and Dale after her in an effort to detain 
her. 

Mr. Harlowe gazed at Tom, astounded for a 
moment, and then rose hastily, and, taking him by 
the coat, asked in a confidential tone: 

“ Say, Tom, did it require much courage to — to 
— pop, you know? ” 

“ Not half so much as coming to you,” replied 
Tom. 

“ Oh, drop me out of the question ! ” said Har- 
lowe impatiently. 

“ Well,” said Tom meditatively, “ when you’re 
pretty sure of your ground — that is, that the lady 
is not likely to refuse you — why! it don’t require 
much.” 

''But, Tom, suppose you don’t know your 
ground? ” 

Then I should say it was pretty much of a 
gamble.” 

Mr. Harlowe released the lapel of Tom’s coat, 
and thoughtfully stroked his under lip with his 
thumb and forefinger. 

" Gamble! ” he muttered. " Hum! Gamble! 
Yes; that’s just what it would be.” 

" Are you contemplating — ^ — ” 


MOMENTOUS EVENTS. 


357 


Mr. Harlowe quickly interrupted him. 

“I? I?” he exclaimed. “How could I? 

Haven’t I got Melinda and Flossie to care for? ” 

“ But I want to relieve you of Flossie,” urged 
Tom. 

“ True! And you want my consent? ” 

“ If you please.” 

“ Have you seen Melinda? ” 

“ Lord, no! ” cried Tom. “ I particularly don’t 
want to see Melinda.” 

“ She’s bent on this Melchor.” 

“Would you be content with that?” earnestly 
asked Tom, as if Melchor was some sort of a 
strange beast. 

“ No,” said Mr. Harlowe firmly and honestly, 
“ I’m hanged if I would! You have my consent. 
Take her, my boy, take her! ” 

“Thanks! thanks!” cried Tom, delighted that 
the ordeal was successfully over. “ Her father is 
with us, and the four of us ought to be equal to 
Miss Melinda.” 

He rail away to communicate the happy issue 
of their intrigue. 

“ Don’t be so sure of that,” was the grim re- 
joinder Mr. Harlowe flung after him. 

He sat down, turned to his writing, and turned 
away again, talking to himself. The strains of the 
“ Love Dream ” waltz floated in through the open 
door. 


35 S JjV AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

''Gamble! Yes; he’s right. It would be a 
great big gamble. Hum! Only Melinda left. 
Now, if Marsters would only — pshaw! Day 
dreams! Impossible — hopeless day dreams! ” 

Melchor came wandering into the room in his 
aimless way. 

" I can’t find her anywhere,” he complained. 
" Mr. Harlowe, I’ve lost Flossie.” 

Mr. Harlowe contemplated the plaintive youth 
a moment very seriously, and then said heartily: 

" Quite right, my boy; you have.” 

" Ha-ay? Ya-as, I have,” he replied with his 
irritating drawl. " I can’t find her.” 

" And it is my opinion, given without fee, Ar- 
thur,” said Mr. Harlowe seriously, " that you 
never will. Find Bentley; he’s got her.” 

" Ya-as; that’s what Mr. Dale advised me to 
do.” And Arthur turned slowly to leave the 
room. As he did so, Marsters, entering hastily, 
came into violent collision with him, nearly 
knocking him over. But Marsters was too much 
absorbed to heed him. 

" Harlowe,” he cried, " I’ve just left Melinda, 
and she says ” 

Mr. Harlowe leaped from his seat, and, seizing 
him by both hands, exclaimed: 

"Take her, my boy — take her. You have my 
blessing! ” 

Marsters was dumfounded. 


MOMENTOUS EVENTS. 


359 


What's the matter with you? " he asked. 

When I want Melinda, I’ll ask her. She’s old 
enough to answer without your assistance. No, 
no; this is business. Melinda says that, judging 
from what the Attorney General tells her, he has 
not only written his opinion, but handed it in.” 

'^Yes, yes, yes! ” rapidly and eagerly. 

And, though she knows nothing yet ” 

Yes, man; yes? ” 

'' Fears the worst.” 

“ What did he say — what were his words? ” 
asked Mr. Harlowe, breathless almost with eager 
anxiety. 

Little that she can fix; it is the impression she 
received.” 

‘'Bad — bad!” moaned Mr. Harlowe. “But, 
Marsters, you know that Melinda is down on the 
countess.” 

“No, no!” protested Marsters. “You wrong 
her by that thought. No; she is anxious for your 
success.” 

“ Have you seen the Attorney General? ” asked 
V Mr. Harlowe, a forlorn hope gleaming in his eyes. 

“ I have had no opportunity.” 

“Make one, then,” said Mr. Harlowe; “make 
it quick! Don’t fail! If this is so, action must be 
taken at once — this very night. Ask him plump 
out, if in no other way. I must know to-night.” 

He fairly pushed Mr. Marsters through the 


360 AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 

door into the ballroom, so eager was he. Then 
he dropped into a chair, almost unnerved. 

“ If Melinda is right, there is danger — great 
danger. And I must get to the President some- 
how to-night.” 

So engrossed was he in his thoughts that he did 
not perceive that Prince Kroupieve and Rodion 
Michaelovitch had entered the room at his back. 


CHAPTER XL 


THE LAST RESOURCE. 

The two Russians were clearly excited — the 
manner of the prince that of arrogant triumph. 
It was clear that he had brought Rodion from the 
ballroom to give him his instructions. 

“ Go to the Ambassador,” he said in his most 
commanding way. “ Find him to-night, no mat- 
ter where. Tell him the papers must be ready 
early to-morrow morning. Let him not fail in 
anything. Delay I will regard as a crime.” 

“ Shall I arouse him if he sleeps? ” asked 
Rodion. 

‘‘ If he sleeps twenty sleeps.” 

I obey,” said Rodion as he hurried off. 

Mr. Harlowe, still unconscious that others were 
in the room, struggled to his feet. 

“ I must find the Secretary of State; I must 
have a word with Williams.” 

The act and the words* attracted the attention 
of the prince. As Mr. Harlowe attempted to leave 
the room the prince intercepted him. 

My dear Mr. Harlowe,” said the prince, a 
triumphant sneer disfiguring his face, ‘^you do not 
grace the ballroom? ” 

361 


3^2 AN- AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

It was with difficulty that Mr. Harlowe could 
control himself and conceal the apprehension 
caused by the bearing of the prince and the unholy 
joy that shone without attempt at concealment in 
his eyes. Mr. Harlowe felt sure that his opponent 
had learned something which had given him the 
assurance of success. With a supreme effort he 
rallied. 

“ No, prince,’' he said in his lightest manner, 
and with a composure he was far from feeling; 
“ no. Rheumatism and Terpsichore are enemies.” 

The Countess Naletoff shines refulgent to- 
night,” said the prince. 

Mr. Harlowe was distinctly conscious of a feel- 
ing that he was being played with as a cat does 
with a mouse before killing it, but he fought with 
himself for his self-possession. 

” To see so glorious a daughter of Russia,” he 
replied, “ first among foreign flowers, prince, must 
arouse your patriotic pride.” 

“ As gratifying as the sight is,” replied the 
prince with a profound bow, “ it would be more 
pleasing to see her at the court of her own 
country.” 

Since the bonds uniting the two countries 
have been strengthened by this treaty, surely Rus- 
sia can trust her fair daughter to us.” 

“ True,” replied the prince, with an increased 
sneer; especially when America’s diplomatic 


THE LAST RESOURCE. 3^‘3 

representative, the Secretary of State, devotes 
himself to the fair daughter.’" 

Mr. Harlowe knew that the prince, with his 
customary astuteness, had penetrated the purpose 
of the attendance of the countess at the ball, but 
he replied airily: 

“ The assumption of diplomatic functions, 
prince, does not lessen appreciation of charming 
women.” 

You are right,” said the prince somewhat 
sternly, “ even if the fair one be under demand of 
extradition.” 

Then he changed his tone, and, with an admi- 
rable assumption of interested curiosity, he asked: 

“ By the way, Mr. Harlowe, how does that de- 
mand proceed? I have great sympathy for the 
countess.” 

“ I am only her counsel,” replied Mr. Harlowe, 
permitting himself his only sarcasm of the en- 
counter. “ One holding such close relations to 
Russia’s representatives as does the Prince Krou- 
pieve should be the better informed.” 

“ You forget, sir, that with the promulgation 
of the treaty my special functions ceased. I am 
even now recalled.” 

Before Mr. Harlowe could reply, and to his 
annoyance, almost consternation, the countess 
entered upon the arm of Dale. She was in a gay, 
even excited mood, and began a remark to Mr, 


364 AAT AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

Ilarlowe, but, on perceiving the prince, stopped 
abruptly, and bowed so low before him that her 
courtesy seemed to be derisive. The prince re- 
turned her bow, and without hesitation he ad- 
vanced to her and said: 

“ I have been sighing for the opportunity which 
presents itself at the moment of my despair. 
Madame has been so surrounded by dignitaries of 
state that a poor Russian could only gaze from 
afar off.” 

He took it upon himself to offer the lady a 
chair, but she declined as she replied: 

“ The prince is not often in the submissive 
mood.” 

“ Approach to madame is not so easy,” returned 
the prince, “ that I may pass by the chance fortune 
offers.” 

Mr. Harlowe, standing intent with apprehen- 
sion, understood the prince’s manner to mean that 
he had learned something of which he proposed 
to inform the countess, and his suspense was 
agonizing. Dale, who had remained beside the 
countess, under the belief that his services as an 
escort would be required by the countess to take 
her away from the prince, on seeing her yield to 
Kroupieve’s address, moved to the side of 
Harlowe. 

What I would say now,” continued the prince, 
might perhaps be said elsewhere with greater 


THE LAST RESOURCE, 


propriety — might have been said before, but 
madame has denied me her house, and opportunity 
is lacking, while time presses. What I would say 
should be said to you alone.” 

The countess made a barely perceptible gesture, 
which Mr. Harlowe interpreted to mean that he 
was to remain. He detained Dale, who moved as 
if to leave the room. 

The prince is mysterious in his address to- 
night,” she said. 

“ I shall not be so,” quickly replied Kroupieve; 
“ rather, brutally frank.” 

“ Find the Secretary of State for me,” said Mr. 
Harlowe to Dale, “ and ask him to favor me by 
coming here.” 

Dale hurried away to execute the order. 

“ I have in the past,” continued the prince, 
“ offered myself and the honors of the house of 
Kroupieve to madame.” 

The countess bowed in response, but made no 
verbal reply. 

“ The offers have been rejected. Perhaps I 
should be content. But, madame, in the presence 
of the great danger which confronts you, though 
you have declined to dismiss Mr. Harlowe, and 
because I believe my power can avert the blow 
threatened, I again place the heart, the hand, and 
the title of Prince Kroupieve at your feet.” 

Mr. Harlowe almost started in his anxiety as 


366 


AN AMERICAN CA VALIER. 


he listened to the reply of the countess, the while 
his hand played in an ineffectual way over his 
pockets, as if seeking something, not certain what. 

“ The motives,” said the countess slowly but 
firmly, which have controlled me in the past in- 
fluence me now.” 

“ Madame declines again,” said Kroupieve. 
“ Permit me to suggest that she does not realize 
her danger.” 

“ Were I in Russia, my danger would be great, 
but here in America ” 

“ Madame believes she will remain,” interrupted 
the prince. “ I would have her consider that she 
returns to Russia, and view my offer from that 
standpoint. Between her and Siberia, ruin, and 
what is far worse than death, is only this hand, 
which is gladly stretched forth ” 

The countess drew herself up with more haugh- 
tiness than Mr. Harlowe had ever before seen her 
show, and with a motion Of her hand stopped the 
prince. 

“ I do consider,” she said, “ and I will answer. 
I refuse under all conditions. I will not clasp in 
marriage the hand that has assassinated my 
kindred.” 

The prince was stung into intense anger by the 
unexpected conclusion. Savagely and threaten- 
ingly he cried: 

“ Madame, beware! ” 


THE LAST resource. 


3^7 


Mr. Harlowe made a start forward, fearing that 
in his anger the prince would do violence to the 
countess, for he had rarely seen a man so con- 
vulsed with passion as was Kroupieve. But the 
countess put up her hand to quiet him. 

“ I fear nothing,” she said. To the prince, 
calmly scornful, she continued: “All these were 
torn from me in the name of the law, but the hand* 
was the hand of Kroupieve.” 

“ Madame ” 

His passion was too great for utterance, and it 
was plain he was making heroic efforts to control 
himself. 

“ If America fails me,” she said, “ as you would 
intimate, I have one resource — I can die.” 

The prince managed to gain sufficient control of 
himself to say with an intense sneer; it was like 
the hiss of a snake: 

“ Beautiful women, young and rich, do not 
die by their own hands. You hope; I can 
wait.” 

Mr. Marsters hurried in, panic-stricken. He 
exclaimed to Mr. Harlowe: 

“ It is only too true; and the decision is against 
you.” 

Harlowe was so shocked that he fairly staggered, 
and the countess started forward to him, as if to 
give him aid. Kroupieve laughed aloud, sardoni- 
cally. The laugh gave Mr. Harlowe a counter 


3^3 am AMERICAN CA VALIER. 

shock. He turned an agonized look upon Krou- 
pieve, and said: 

“ He knew before I did.’’ 

He took a vial from his pocket, fumbled with his 
fingers, dropped it, and picked it up again. 

“ Where is Dale? ” he asked helplessly. 

Rodion Michaelovitch rushed into the room, 
and took the prince apart from the rest, and 
whispered energetically to him. 

Dale returned at the same moment with Me- 
linda, and followed by Flossie and Bentley, chat- 
ting gayly, intent only on their own crowned 
happiness. Melinda was evidently very angry, and 
she at once began: 

“ Chester, have you dared to give your con- 
sent ” 

But a glance at Harlowe’s face showed that a 
great disaster had fallen upon him. To Dale he 
said: 

“ See the President at once, and ask him for 
a personal interview for me. All is not lost 
yet.” 

“ I will go, of course. The Secretary will come 
here at once.” 

Dale turned to leave the apartment, but as he 
did so the Secretary of State entered. Dale 
stopped a moment to listen. 

Mr. Harlowe fairly flung himself upon the Sec- 
retary of State. 


THE LAST RESOURCE. 369 

For Heaven’s sake, Williams,” he cried, “ tell 
me the worst, if it is the worst.” 

The prince, followed by Rodion, came closer to 
hear the reply. 

'' I think — in fact,” said Mr. Williams hesitat- 
ingly, and with no little embarrassment, “ I know 
— that the President has reached a conclusion. 
Perhaps I ought not to speak; but really, Plar- 
lowe, Pm very sorry for you — and the countess — 
charming woman — but the President has deter- 
mined on her extradition to-morrow.” 

All started, visibly and variously agitated, ex- 
cept the countess, who stood motionless, and from 
whose face all color had fled". The prince and Ro- 
dion were openly triumphant. Harlowe was like 
one partially paralyzed. He took from one of his 
pockets a vial, dropped it on the floor, and then 
took another. 

“ All hope is gone? ” he asked in broken accents. 

“ The President has decided,” the Secretary re- 
plied, as if that were conclusive. 

“ He will listen to one last appeal.” 

The President has decided,” repeated Mr. 
Williams firmly, though kindly. That means the 
end with him.” 

Harlowe was overcome. With a vial in one hand, 
he let his other wander over his coat, as if seeking 
another; apparently dazed, unable to think, he 
took his syringe from his pocket. It was as if his 


370 JJV AMERICAN CAVALIER. 

mind was working automatically, and not under 
the control of his will. He stole a fbok at the 
countess, wj:io had not altered her position, but 
stood as if she had been turned into stone. 

Melinda laid her hand upon that of the countess 
sympathetically an instant, and then, with short, 
energetic strides, crossed the room to Harlowe. 
To him she said, and it almost seemed as if in 
disgust : 

Chester, if you are a man, do something to 
save her! ” 

She crossed the room and put her arm about the 
countess. 

“ You have my whole sympathy,” she said. 
“Forgive me!” 

For answer the countess flung her arms about 
Melinda’s neck, and buried her face on the maiden 
lady’s shoulder. 

Harlowe, astounded, stood gazing at the two 
as if he could not comprehend the scene. Then he 
sprung suddenly into action. He flung the vial 
he held in one hand in one direction, and the 
syringe in another. 

“ Marsters! Here! ” His voice rang out clear 
and masterfully as he pointed to the table in the 
corner. “ Sit down! Write a declaration of citi- 
zenship for the countess.” 

“ What is that? ” asked the astonished Marsters. 

“ Do as I tell you, quickly.” 


THE LAST RESOURCE. 371 

As Mr. Marsters seated himself at the table and 
began to write, the prince exclaimed aloud, most 
apprehensively: 

“ What new device of delay is this? ” 

Dale said: 

ril go to the President. 

“ Stay where you are,” commanded Mr. 
Marsters. 

A few of the passing dancers and guests, 
attracted by the group, entered the room, curious 
observers of a strange scene. The Secretary of 
State was amused and interested. 

“ If I know the man,” he muttered, '' Harlowe 
is not at the end of his resources.” 

As if answering his muttering, Mr. Harlowe 
crossed to the countess, took her hand, and said: 

“ May I speak with you? ” 

She yielded to him, and he led her to a part of 
the room where they were alone. His words 
seemed to astound her, and as he became explana- 
tory he became urgent, and as she hesitated he be- 
came more urgent. At length she yielded to his 
urgency, whatever it was, for she placed her hand 
in his, beaming upon him a look of intense grati- 
tude. They were watched curiously and intently 
by all, and by Kroupieve and Michaelovitch most 
apprehensively. 

Mr. Harlowe led the countess back to the group, 
and she was heard to say to him: 


372 


AN AMERICAN CAVALIER. 


It is only pity that excites you to such 
nobility.’’ 

“ No, no! ” he exclaimed. “ It is not pity; it is 
realization.” 

Then, turning to Marsters, he asked: 

‘‘ Have you drawn that declaration, Marsters? ” 

Marsters rose from his chair, saying: 

‘‘ It is done.” 

“Sign, countess! ” said Mr: Harlowe, leading her 
to the table. She sat down and wrote her name 
where Mr. Marsters pointed,, Mr. Harlowe stand- 
ing beside her. When she had finished, he took 
the paper, and, handing it to the Secretary of 
State, said: 

“ You will observe that, Mr. Secretary, and 
recollect in whose presence it was made and 
signed.” 

Then he again took the hand of the countess 
and led her before Dale, standing mystified by the 
occurring events. 

“ Dale! ” he cried, “ you are a civil magistrate, 
duly sworn. Marry us! ” 

“ Marry you? ” cried all, almost in chorus. 
Melinda made an impulsive start forward, but was 
checked by Mr. Marsters, who, seeing at the same 
time a movement from Prince Kroupieve, upon 
whose face came a demoniacal expression, then 
stepped before him in a most threatening manner. 

Dale was not found wanting; the surprising 


TBE LAST RESOUnCE. 


373 


turn of affairs accorded too well with his peculiar 
humor. With ready wit and presence of mind he 
began the ceremony: 

“ Mura Naletoff, do you take this man, Chester 
K. Harlowe, to be your wedded husband? 

“ I do,” replied the countess in a low voice. 

“ Chester K. Harlowe, do you take this woman, 
Mura Naletoff, to be your wedded wife? ” 

“ I do,” firmly and loudly declared Mr. Har- 
lowe, and he added: “ despite all the Russias.” 

“ Then,” said Dale, concluding the simple cere- 
mony, I pronounce you man and wife, and whom 
the law has put together let no man put asunder.” 

“ Melinda,” cried Harlowe, “ I ha%)e done some- 
thing.” 

He turned to the Secretary and said: 

Mr. Secretary, tell the President that the 
countess has made a declaration of her intentions, 
that she is naturalized, and that I defy him to 
yield up the wife of an American citizen, and there- 
by herself an American citizen, on the demand of 
a foreign power.” 

‘‘ Harlowe,” replied the Secretary, much amused 
and much pleased, “ your resources as a lawyer are 
inexhaustible.” 

‘‘Yes,” sneered the prince, “but it is a very 
summary disposal of a subject of my August 
Master.” 

“A subject of the Czar no longer,” said Mr. 


374 


AJV AMERICAN- CA P^ALIER. 


Harlowe. A diplomatist should know that it is 
established as between nations that the wife takes 
the nationality of the husband. The countess is 
now an American queen.” 


The President never signed the requisition 
papers, and Mr. Harlowe never published an expo- 
sition of his science. Perhaps he has been too 
busy with th6 affairs of the Embassy at Berlin, at 
which city Mrs. Harlowe is still called the 
countess. 


THE END. 


/ 


SHOULD SHE HAVE LEFT HIM ? 


BY 

WILLIAM C. HUDSON 


(Barclay North), 


A uthor of The Diamond Button : Whose Was It ? ” **Jack Gordon, 
Knight Errant^ Gotham^ /<?(^,” ^'Vivier, of Vivier, Long- 
ma7i Co.f “ The Man with a Thumb f **On 
the Rackf ** The Dugdale Millions T 


12mo, Cloth, 75 Cents; Paper, 50 Cents. 


A good novel and one that will be generally enjoyed.’* 

— Mhineapolis Commercial Bulletin, 

“ A novel of an exceedingly complicated and skillfully handled 
plot. It is a story of the brightest interest throughout.” 

— Boston Home Journal. 

** One of the most interesting stories of a matrimonial tangle ever 
put in print. Mr. Hudson has written a very clever story which 
holds the attention from beginning to end.” — Minneapolis Journal. 

“ This book has not alone an absorbing and original plot, and 
introduces many delightful and charming people, but it touches on 
some delicate ‘ pros and cons,’ and treats them in a manner which 
leaves food for thought.” — Balth7iore Telegra77i. 

“ It is a story that may be read in two hours, and must be read at 
a sitting, so vivid is the interest. The story is American with foreign 
complications, not unusual, and deals with high society in a most 
familiar way. The story is fully equal to the writer’s former efforts 
in interest. ^ — St. Louis Mirror. 


FOR SALE BY ALL BOOKSELLERS. 


THE CASSELL PUBLISHING CO., 

31 East 17TH St. (Union Square), New York. 

114 


IN THE “UNKNOWN” LIBRARY. 

[Limp Cloth, Oblong. Each, 50 Cents. 

TEE! LOETEl Il^TET. 

A MYSTERY. 

By FERGUS HUME, 

Author of ” The Mystery of a Hansom Cabf “ The Fever of Life^ 

*'The Third Volume f etc.., etc. 

** A charming story told in a vein which is fascinating all the way 
through to the end.” — Baltimore Telegram, 

‘ ‘ This addition to the U nknown Library will be relished by all 
readers who love mystery and the ingenious unraveling of seemingly 
insoluble riddles . . . As a piece of invention, ‘ The Lone Inn ’ is 
admirable ; the story entertains the attention, and it is quite impossible 
to lay down the book until the last page.” — Philadelphia Bulletin. 

“ The tale is worthy of its place in the Unknown Library.”— 
Boston Budget. 


GO FORTH AND FIND. 

By THOMAS H. BRAINERD. 

** A powerful %X.oxy." —Boston Globe. 

** Of the usual high class of this series.” — Boston Budget. 

“ The narrative is free and simple, and the style strong and clear.” 
—New York Mail and Express. 

“ One of those sweet and wholesome love stories which one lays 
aside with regret.” — The World, New York. 

“ Some of the bits of description are charming. The title-page 
tells us that Thomas H. Brainerd is the author, but the touch is 
apparently that of a woman.” — Public Opinion. 

“ The Unknown Library has in it few disappointments. You are, 
as a rule, sure when you pick up one of its volumes to find that it is 
good. ‘ Go Forth and Find’ is not an exception. It is a charming 
little story full of sweet, pure love-making, noble women and manly 
men. It is just such a tale as one can take up for an odd hour and 
enjoy. There is no mental strain in reading it, but there is whole- 
some entertainment and constant interest.” — Cincinnati CommerciaU 
Gazette. 


THE CASSELL PUBLISHING CO., 

31 East 17th St. (Union Square), - New York* 

111 


** A DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT SUBJECT FOR A NOVEL.** 

— The American Woman's Illustrated World. 


THE HEAVENLY TWINS. 

By SARAH GRAND. 

Ill one large i2mo volume of nearly 700 pages. Extra cloth, 
laid paper. Price $1.00. 

Paper, Cassell’s Sunshine Series, Price 50 Cents. 

“ There is much powerful and beautiful writing in this remarkable 
and not-to-be-forgotten book.” — The World. 

“ The adventures of Diavolo and Angelica — the ‘ Heavenly Twins* 
— are delightfully funny. No more original children were ever put 
in a book.” — The Academy. 

“ The moral which the author undertakes to enforce is that the 
sacrifice of pure women in marriage to men of vicious lives is not 
only a crime against the individual, but against society itself.” — 
Boston Beacon. 

“ The work swarms with wise sayings and noble counsels.” — 
Methodist Times. 

“ This book is one full of talent, and not of talent misapplied, for 
‘ The Heavenly Twins* is strong enough to assert itself and to point 
e moral.” — N. Y. Times. 

“ Whether or not a pure woman marrying has a right to equal 
purity in the man she ‘marries — this is the problem ittempted by 
Sarah- Grand in her heroine’s behalf in ‘ The Heavenly Twins.’ It 
is an earnest book, showing its author’s cultured mind on every 
page.” — Table Talk. 

“ A very curious and interesting novel. . . The burden of the 
author’s song is the emancipation of woman and the establishment 
of a stricter moral standard for man. From one end to the other 
it is interesting, in spots intensely and absorbingly so.” — Kate Field* s 
Washington. 

THE CASSELL PUBLISHING CO., 

31 East 17th St, (Union Square), New York. 

108 


THE EMIGRANT SHIP. 

By W. CLARK RUSSELL, 

Author of '"'‘List ^ ye Landsmen ! ” ''‘The Romance of a Trans/or/t** 

“ The Wreck of the Grosvenorf etc.., etc. 

One Volume, 12mo, Cloth, ^1.00. Paper, 50 Cents. 


*• The story is told with excellent directness, and the atmosphere of life aboard 
an emigrant ship is admirably conveyed to the reader. There is no sea technicality 
to spe^ of, the whole interest of the story being concentrated in the hero’s plan 
to develop a crew among his women passengers. On the whole, ‘ The Emigrant 
Ship’ is one of the most readable of Mr. Russell’s charming tales.” — New York 
Times. 

“ For a very fine tonic in the way of fiction commend us always to Mr. Clark 
Russell. The sea never fails to lash itself in a most beautiful manner when he is 
about. He has, perhaps, as vigorous a vocabulary as anybody now going. He 
can talk in strong and splendid phrase too of more things than the sea.”— 

York Sun. 

“ On the whole, the best which Mr. Russell has produced. It is beautifully 
bound and makes a marine library without it seem poverty-stricken.”— 

Daily Traveller. 

** Is readable from beginning to end. No better sea story has been written.” — 
Philadelphia Bulletin. 

‘‘The keen salt breath of the sea flows through all his descriptions, and he 
makes his readers feel its inspiration as he feels it himself. No one knows better 
the methods of ocean life, and no one handles its fascination more subtly or skill- 
fully, while for the reader who loves a story for the story’s sake this tale is worth 
half a dozen of modern * society ’ novels.” — New York Commercial Advertiser, 

“ Will appeal to all such as love the sea and the free and breezy stories of it 
which are characteristic of this keen student and ardent lover of its moods and 
vagaries.” — New York Mail and Express. 

“ There is a genuine sea flavor to Clark Russell’s stories, a salty taste, a smell of 
ropes and rigging, and the bracing freshness of the ocean air. There is also the 
freedom of the broad seas, but with all this there is neither the vulgarity nor the 
deyilishness which so many nautical writers seem to think it necessary to affect. 
His sea tales are original to a striking degree, they are never dull, and withal they 
are clean and wholesome. They make good reading for old boys as well as 
young.” — Baltimore Telegram. 

^ “ It is bright, interesting, strong. . . There is more of human nature in it tha* 
in any of his previous books.” — New York World. 

^ “ Where is the boy, old or young, with a heart in him who doesn’t know how 
incomparably well he writes his amazing adventures on the high seas ? Here we 
have a story which could only by any possible chance proceed from the pen of 
Mr. Russell.” — Philadelphia Press. 

“ W. Clark Russell stands without a peer as a master in telling marine stories. 
He IS thoroughly at home at sea, and his new novel, ‘ The Emigrant Ship,’ is one 
of his best. The plot is fresh and the development is most skillful.”— 

Daily Advertiser, 


THE CASSELL PUBLISHING CO., 

31 East 17TH St. (Union Square), New York. 

104 


FAMOUS BOOKS BY JULES VERNE. 



By JULES VERNE. 


Translated from the French by A. Estoclet. Illustrated by 

L. Benett. 

1 voL, 12mo, extra cloth, $1.00; paper, Cassell’s Sunshine 

Series, 50 cents. 

“ Will rank among the author’s best.” — New Haven Journal and Courier. 

“ Teems with wonders and adventures which could only have found their birth 
in the most imaginative brain of any liviiig author.” — Ne7u York Observer. 

“ Packed full with marvelous adventures, hair-breadth escapes, and strange 
things seen in out-of-the-way places thousands of miles apart.” — San Francisco 
Chronicle. ^ 

“ Jules Verne’s admirers will welcome this addition to his narratives of adven- 
ture.” — Philadelphia Inquirer. 

“ Intensely interesting. . . . Beneath the surface of all the writings of this 
noted author there is an abundance of information which is scientifically accurate.” 
Iowa School Journal. 



By JULES VERNE. 


Translated from the French by A. Estoclet. With all the original 
French illustrations by George Roux. 

1 vol.y 12mo, extra cloth, $1.00 ; paper, Cassell’s Sunshine 
" Series, 50 cents. 

This book appeals strongly to American readers, the scene of more than 
half of the story being laid in America, 

“ The tale is one of the most thrilling and ingenious of Verne’s writings.”— 
Boston Daily Advertiser. 

“ An extremely well told and entertaining story.” — New York Times, 

” A most characteristic and active romance.” — Christian Advocate. 

” Narrated with . . . inimitable story-telling art.” — Brooklyn Times, 

“Will be welcomed with delight by that large army of young readers for whom 
he has written so much and so well.’’ — Boston Saturday Evening Gazette. 

** It is a book for old and young.” — A merican Bookseller. 


NEW YORK 


THE CASSELL PUBLISHING CO. 

31 East i 7 th St. (Union Square) 


THE STORY OF FRANCIS CLDDDE. 

BY 

STANLEY J. WEYMAN, 

Author of A Gentleman of France f “ The Men in 
Blackf etc. 


8vo, Extra Cloth, $i.oo ; i2mo, paper, 50 cts. 

** The story is an excellent one ; there are endless stirring adven- 
tures, conspiracies, dangers, and escapes, and there is not a dull page 
throughout. The hero is all a hero should be, brave, generous, 
successful. . . It is a capital book for boys, girls, and- grown-up 
people.” — The Guardian. 

“To say that there is not a dull page in the volume is to say 
little ; there is none that is not overrunning with dramatic incident, 
and this without a moment’s monotony. Moreover, the style has the 
exceedingly unusual merit of being entirely free from the taint of 
affected archaism, and yet of being in harmony with its period. The 
story of Francis Cludde is altogether one to be enjoyed, both by old 
and young.” — The Graphic. 

“ The story is told with much ingenuity and graphic power of a 
very high order.” — The Bradford Observer. 

“ There is not a dull page from beginning to end.” — The Western 
Daily Mercury. >■ 

“‘The Story of Francis Cludde * is an admirable piece of work. 
As an essay in what was thought to be the lost art of historical 
romance, it must take very high rank among the best. . . The 
story is laid in the last years of Queen Mary’s reign, and the denoue- 
ment is brought about with great skill and without any straining. 
Everyone is recom^Tiended read ‘ The Story of Francis Cludde* 
as a capital book in an old style, which is better than the new.”-* 
The Melbourne A rgus. 


THE CASSELL PUBLISHING CO., 

31 East 17th St. (Union Square), New York. 

107 


‘^*Of eUltke short story writers we are inclined, in many respects^to givt 
^r. A, T. Quiller^Couch the first New York Times. 


THE VERY POPEEAR 

NOVELS AND SKETCHES BY “Q.” 

I SAW THREE SHIPS, 

And Other Winter Tales. By A. T. Quiller-Couch (“ Q"). r 
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'* Capital construction . . . racy humor , . . rich variety .” — Literary 

THE BLUE PAVILIONS. 

8vo, extra cloth, ink and gold dies, inlaid, $1.25. Paper, Cassell’s 
Sunshine Series, 50 cents. 

“Chief of the recent novels,” — Quarterly Register 0 / Current History* 

NOUGHTS AND CROSSES. 

STORIES, STUDIES, AND SKETCHES. 

I vol., l2mo, cloth, 75 cents ; paper (Sunshine Series), 50 cents. 

“ Some of the sketches in the present volume are surpassed by nothing in the 
!anguage for delicacy, for artistic style, for quaint humor, and for pathos.”“5a» 
Francisco Chronicle. 

DEAD MAN’S ROCK. 

A ROMANCE. 

I vol., f2mo, cloth, 75 cents ; paper (Sunshine Series), 50 cents. 

** Powerful and striking ,” — Hew York Mail and Express, 

THE SPLENDID SPUR. 

Being Memoirs of the Adventures of Mr. John Marvel, a Ser« 
vant of His late Majesty, King Charles I., in the years 1642-43. 
Written by himself. Edited, in modern English, by “Q.” 1 vol., 

T2mo, cloth, 75 cents ; paper (Sunshine Series), 50 cents. 

“ The writer of ‘ The Splendid Spur’ . . . ^ has a clear, rapid, manly style. 
An inexhaustible fund of incident, and the capital and indispensable knack of 
making his people interesting .” — The Critic, 

THE ASTONISHING HISTORY OF 
TROY TOWN. 

I vol., l2mo, cloth, 75 cents ; paper (Sunshine Series), 50 cents. 

“ There is a fine old crusted flavor (to use a fine old crusted phrase) about ihi 
iainor of ‘ Troy Town.’ ” — Pall Mall Gasette. 


NEW YORK 

THE CASSELL PUBLISHING CO, 

31 East i;’th St. (Union Square) 




I 


POPULAR NOVELS BY 

w. c. siTjnDsonsr 

(BARCLAY NORTH). 


Few story-writers have jumped so quickly into popular favor as 

W. C. Hudson (Barclay North) There is a rattle and a dash 

about everything that he writes, and a contemporaneous interest that 
never fails to please the reader as well as to hold his attention. ” 

THE DIAMOND BUTTON; WHOSE WAS IT? 

A Tale from the Diary of a Lawyer and the Notebook of 
Reporter. By W. C. Hudson (Barclay North), i vol. 

I. i2mo, cloth, 75 cents ; paper, 50 cents. 

** A pronounced success.” — Albany Express. 

JACK GORDON, KNIGHT-ERRANT, GOTHAM, 1883. 

By W, C. Hudson (Barclay North), i vol., i2mo, cloth, 75 cents; 
paper, 50 cents. 

“ A capital piece of work.” — Pittsburg Dispatch. 

VIVIER, OF VIVIER, LONGMAN & CO., BANKERS. 

By W. C. Hudson (Barclay North), i vol., i2mo, cloth, 75 cents; 
paper, 50 cents. 

•* The stcry contains not a single dull page.” — Ohio State Journal. 

THE MAN WITH A THUMB. 

By W. C. Hudson (Barclay North), i vol., i2mo, cloth, 75 cents; 
paper, 50 cents. 

Holds the attention to the last page.” — Cleveland Plaindealer. 

ON THE RACK. 

By W. C. Hudson (Barclay North), i vol., i2mo, cloth, 75 cents; 
paper, 50 cents. 

THE DUGDALE MILLIONS. 

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SHOULD SHE HAVE LEFT HIM? 

By W. C. Hudson (Barclay North), i vol, i2mo, cloth, 75 cents 
paper, 50 cents. 

THE CASSELL PUBLISHING CO., 

31 East lyxH St. (Union Square), N. Y. 


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